IL SR0961

Senate Resolution mourning the death of Bruce H. Conley of Elburn, who passed away on September 11, 2010.

Conley was born April 13, 1950, and was a musician, mortuary science graduate, and founding member of multiple bereavement and community service organizations including Compassionate Friends, Survivors of Suicide, and the Widowed Persons Service.

Authored "Butterflies, Grandpa & Me" (1975), a children's book about death and grief that was distributed to thousands of funeral homes, churches, and hospice programs nationwide, along with other bereavement publications.

Founded Conley Outreach Community Services (incorporated 1995) and the Elburn and Countryside Community Center; led the first conclave between the National Hospice Organization and National Funeral Directors Association in 1995; chaired the Association for Death Education and Counseling national conference in 1998.

Survived by his wife Kris, two adult children (Ben and Sarah), four grandchildren, and extended family; the resolution directs presentation of a suitable copy to his family as an expression of sympathy.