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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of John F. Downs of Canton, who passed 
4away on April 13, 2024; and
 
5    WHEREAS, John Downs was born to Franklin and Lydia (Johns) 
6Downs in Canton on March 22, 1942; he served in the U.S. Navy 
7Reserve from 1960 to 1966, during which he was in active 
8service from 1962 to 1964; he married Patricia Messer at 
9Shields Chapel Church in Canton on August 20, 1961; and
 
10    WHEREAS, John Downs worked as a heavy equipment operator 
11for Caterpillar, Inc., retiring after 30 years of service; he 
12also worked as a custodian for Canton School District #66 for 
1310 years; and
 
14    WHEREAS, John Downs was an avid hunter and fisherman; he 
15enjoyed shooting clays, woodworking, and tinkering; and
 
16    WHEREAS, John Downs was preceded in death by his parents; 
17his son, John Downs Jr.; his brother, Thomas Downs; and his 
18sister, Betty Shaw; and
 
19    WHEREAS, John Downs is survived by his wife; his children, 
20Steve (Kelly) Downs and Jennifer (Matt) McKenzie; his 
 
 
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1grandchildren, Trey (Kristen) Downs, Allen (Amber) Downs, 
2Mallory (Ian) Foster, Brent Downs, Jason Downs, Lucas 
3McKenzie, and Aaron McKenzie; his great-grandchildren, Owen 
4Downs, Ellie Downs, Charlotte Foster, Ruby Foster, Teddy 
5Foster, and Evelyn Downs; and his sister, Jane (Larry) Wages; 
6therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
9John F. Downs and extend our sincere condolences to his 
10family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
11further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
13presented to the family of John Downs as an expression of our 
14deepest sympathy.