Fred Blakesley

EAST PEORIA - Fred C. Blakesley 81, of East Peoria, passed away at 9:30 am Friday, June 15, 2007 at his residence. Born on January 13, 1926, in Mason City, Illinois, to Lloyd L. and Emily C. Copper Blakesley, he married Mary Ann Kipling at First United Methodist Church of East Peoria on October 22, 1949. He is survived by a daughter, Rebecca (Mark) Kraut of Metamora and two sons, David “Kip” (Joette) Blakesley of Washington and Scott (Deborah) Blakesley of Peoria. He is also survived by one grandson, Andrew Kraut of Bloomington, and five granddaughters, Paige and Renee Blakesley of Washington, Ann Kraut of Peoria, and Jamie, Kerry, Rachel Blakesley of Peoria, and two step-granddaughters, Kylee McGann of Peoria, and Colleen McGann of Santa Barbara, CA, one brother Richard Blakesley of Sullivan, four nieces, three nephews, and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Blakesley. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Lloyd Merwin and Albert, one sister, Martha Lou, and one granddaughter, Kelly Blakesley. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was sent to England, Scotland, returned to England, and crossed the channel to take convoys of boats across France, Holland, and Germany to get soldiers across the Rhine River. He was also at Normandy where he operated landing craft. When he returned from the service in 1946, his family lived in Peoria. He was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone Co as a lineman, installer, and engineer for 33 years. During his time at Ill. Bell, he was assigned to a crew to be airlifted to Biloxi, MS to help restore telephone service after Hurricane Camille. After retiring, he and Mary Ann owned and operated the Normandy Club, Pekin, for eight years. The City of East Peoria then hired him part time to do telephone and electrical work and to work on the Festival of Lights. This is where he took co-worker Freddie Townson under his wing and taught him everything about electrical work, telephones, responsibility and personal care. Fred called Freddie “Mr. Festival of Lights”. Freddie said, “I stole all the knowledge I could from him and as the future rolled around, I gave some of it back.” Fred loved sports and spent much of his free time golfing, coaching and attending athletic events. He was a member of the Quail Meadows Senior Men’s Golf League, a founding member of the Fondulac Tuesday Evening Men’s Golf League, and taught golf lessons for Fondulac Park District. He helped organize and coach the East Peoria Little League, coached Biddy Basketball at the Peoria Salvation Army, played for the East Peoria V.F.W. Kitten ball team, and, in the 1950's, basketball and softball for Illinois Bell in the Peoria Industrial League. He enjoyed a golf trip to England and Ireland with his sons, brother-in-law and nephew, and golf trips with local friends. Fred was known by many by his friendly attitude and great sense of humor. He loved drinking coffee and visiting with friends at local golf course pro shops and at Diana’s Restaurant. He enjoyed decorating his home and yard with lights at Christmas time and was an enthusiastic volunteer on the Parade of Lights floats. He gave much of his time to his community, his neighbors and friends, and his family. As a youngster he played the part of a young, red-headed boy by bringing his dog and his fishing pole along and sitting next to the piano while entertainers in Mason City played at local events. After moving to East Peoria he participated in the minstrel show at East Peoria High School sponsored by the E.P. Junior Chamber of Commerce. Playing self-taught banjo and doing magic tricks dressed as the clown, Emmet Kelly, he entertained children at Ill. Bell Telephone Co. employees’ children’s parties. He was a founding member of the East Peoria Junior Chamber of Commerce, a life member of the East Peoria V.F.W., a life member of Hilton Masonic Lodge, a past member of the Scottish Rite Consistory, 33 Degree, and life member of the Illinois Bell Pioneers. He was also a member of the East Peoria Community High School District 309 Board of Education. Growing up he was a member of the Mason City First Presbyterian Church and later a member of the First United Methodist Church of East Peoria. His proudest accomplishment was raising his three children, their many achievements, happiness, respect for individual differences, and love for one another. Second, were the seven grandchildren. He and Mary Ann never missed an invitation for Grandparents Day, and he was kept busy attending band, chorus, theater, and dance performances, church and 4-H activities, and soccer, basketball, and softball games and golf matches. Proud he is! Rest peacefully, Grandpa. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Monday, June 18, at Deiters Funeral Home in East Peoria, with Masonic Services at 6:45 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 19, at the First United Methodist Church of East Peoria, 154 East Washington St., where an additional visitation will be one half hour prior to the service at the church. The Rev. Bill Lakota Eastin will officiate. Interment will be at Fondulac Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Tazewell Military Rites Team. Donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of East Peoria, Easter Seals of Peoria, or Methodist Hospice. To send condolences online please visit www.deitersfuneralhome.com Fred’s video tribute will be posted on the website on Tuesday after the services.

Fred Blakesley

January 13, 1926 - June 15, 2007