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Valley Woman Blames IL Chemical Plant for Husband's Death

ABC15.COM
BY JAY REYNOLDS
jreynolds@abc15.com

GILBERT, AZ -- Valley widow Joanne Branham grew up in McCullom Lake, Illinois, but she now blames a chemical plant in her home state for the death of her husband.

"A very friendly town, we weren't only neighbors we were best friends," said Branham.

She met her husband Frank and raised their kids, but when they moved to Arizona their life took a turn for the worse.

"He had cancer and they gave him six months to live and we got less than a month," said Branham.

Frank was one of 31 cancer victims who have filed a lawsuit against Dow Chemical, who now owns the plant in McCullom Lake, just 60 miles north of Chicago.

"They put chemicals in the ground, they were pouring their waste in the ground and that just isn't right," said Branham.

Six years after his death, Joanne still holds onto the good memories and feelings against the company she says is responsible.

"They took my husbands life. I'm very angry," said Branham.

She hopes the lawsuit will bring her comfort.

"I mean it will never bring Frank back but at least it will prove that they're wrong," said Branham.

The trial is set to start June 7th.

ABC 15 contacted Dow Chemical but they did not get back to us with a comment.

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