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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Michael Patrick Townsend of Springfield, 
4who passed away on August 18, 2017; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Michael Townsend was born in Springfield to Robert 
6and Eileen (Huber) Townsend on November 23, 1939; he graduated 
7from Cathedral Boys High School in 1957; he attended Illinois 
8College and graduated in 1961; he earned his Masters in Social 
9Work from West Virginia University in 1966; he married Carol 
10Piascik in Springfield on September 3, 1960; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Michael Townsend began his career as the district 
12administrator of Children and Family Services of Sangamon 
13County, where he counseled at-risk-youth; for over 30 years, he 
14was a professor at Sangamon State University (University of 
15Illinois Springfield), where he received Faculty Emeritus as an 
16Associate Professor of Human Services and Social Work; he 
17engaged his students in service learning and continuously told 
18them how fortunate they were to be pursuing a career where they 
19would make a difference in the lives of others; he founded and 
20directed many local organizations and groups that encouraged 
21change and equality; and
  
 
22    WHEREAS, Michael Townsend was a St. Louis Cardinals fan and 
 
 
SR0832- 2 -LRB100 13943 ALS 28682 r

1an even bigger fan of Santa Claus; his greatest love was his 
2family; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, Michael Townsend was preceded in death by his 
4parents; his wife; his sister-in-law, Nancy Barley; and his 
5brothers, Tommy and Dan; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Michael Townsend is survived by his daughters, 
7Laura Townsend, Julie (Jeff) Keeney, Jennifer Townsend, and 
8Angela (James) Burleson; his grandchildren, Jerry Roof, Ian 
9Ericksen, Hannah (Cody) Keeney-Meyer, Chloe Pointer, Madeline 
10and Daniel Burleson, and Eli Hill; his siblings, Nancy (Carl) 
11Saladino, Mary Teresa Ballentine, Jean Townsend, Pat (Bill) 
12Anderson, Carol Townsend, Marilyn (Joe) Mueller, Janet (Chuck) 
13Reynolds, and David (Michelle) Townsend; therefore, be it
  
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
16Michael Patrick Townsend, and extend our sincere condolences to 
17his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
18further
  
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
20presented to the family of Michael Townsend as an expression of 
21our deepest sympathy.