[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE BRAMLEY FUNERAL HOME IN DIVERNON, IL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 2, 2004

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bramley Funeral 
home in Divernon, Illinois on the occasion of its 80th anniversary on 
June 6, 2004.
  Bob Bramley helped his late father, Chester Bramley, in the family's 
mortuary business many years ago. Bob graduated from high school in 
1939 and went to work as a clerk for the C & IM Railroad; served in the 
armed forces from 1942 to 1946 as a Master Sergeant in the Army Medical 
Corp. In 1947, he attended mortuary school in Saint Louis, Missouri and 
graduated in 1948. Bob and his wife Carolyn were married on December 
27, 1947, and worked with his father until his father passed away in 
1967. The Bramley's also operated an ambulance service, which 
discontinued service in 1981.
  Tim Bramley, Bob and Carolyn's son, went to mortuary school in 
Carbondale, Illinois and received his license in 1979. Tim then went to 
work at the Bisch Funeral Home in Springfield, Illinois for 13 years. 
Tim left Bisch Funeral Home and went to work with his father when the 
Bramley's opened a second funeral home in Auburn, Illinois on June 4, 
1991. Tim's daughter Sarah graduated from the Carl Sandburg Mortuary 
School in Galesburg, Illinois in May of 2003 and is currently serving 
as an apprentice with her grandfather and father.
  In addition to the family's business, Bob has also worked for the 
Postal Service for 22 years, kept books for the Divernon School 
District for 30 years, and worked as the Village treasurer for 49 
years. Bob also served many years the secretary and treasurer of the 
Divernon Fire Protection District and is currently the secretary and 
treasurer of the Brush Creek Cemetery Board, a position which he has 
held for 45 years.
  Bob states that his wife, Carolyn, has always been there in the 
background; her help and support have been invaluable to him throughout 
the years. Mr. Bramley feels strongly about providing this service to 
the community, even though being in a small town is difficult because 
every person who passes away is your friend. Mr. Bramley has dedicated 
his whole life to the community and the village of Divernon has 
recognized June 6, 2004 as ``Bob Bramley Day.''

                          ____________________