Mary Ann Blakesley

Mary Ann Blakesley, 87, formerly of East Peoria, died Friday, April 7, 2017, at Morningside Senior Living in Washington, IL. Born September 2, 1929, in Bushnell, IL, to Rebecca "Dolly" (Rigg) and Harold "Johnny" Kipling, she married Fred Blakesley October 22, 1949, at the First Methodist Church of East Peoria. She is survived by a daughter, Rebecca (Mark) Kraut of Metamora, and two sons, David "Kip" (Joette) Blakesley of Germantown Hills and Scott (Deborah) Blakesley of Peoria, seven grandchildren: Andrew (Jennifer) Kraut of San Mateo, CA, Paige (Michael) Heitzman, Renee Blakesley and Ann Kraut both of Peoria, Jamie (Andrew) Poorman and Kerry (Pat) Klesath, both of Dunlap, Rachel Blakesley of Chicago and 5 great grandchildren. Also surviving is her brother-in-law, Bill Posorske of Cave Creek, AZ, three nieces, three nephews, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Blakesley, her parents, her sister, Billie Jeanne Posorske, her infant sister, Marilyn, one great-granddaughter, Kelly Blakesley, one nephew, John Posorske, and one niece, Jane Mason. After moving to East Peoria at age 7 from Bushnell, Mary Ann graduated from Central Junior High, then East Peoria Community High School, and Illinois State University with a BS in Education. She was a well-loved kindergarten teacher in many East Peoria Grade Schools until retiring in 1977. She attended the First United Methodist Church in East Peoria since 1936 and was a member since 1945. She was a member of the East Peoria Women's Club, a Charter Member of the Fondulac Ladies' Golf League, a member of the Lincoln School Mothers' Club, the East Peoria JC-ettes, the Illinois Education Association, the National Education Association, and the East Peoria Elementary Education Association. She was very active in the East Peoria Class of 1947 alumni group which still meets. After retiring from teaching, she and Fred operated the Normandy Club steak house in Pekin, IL for eight years. Mary Ann loved sports, playing football with the neighborhood boys as a young girl, swimming, working as a lifeguard as a teenager, cheer leading, playing golf, coaching her children and grandchildren in their sporting and fine arts events, and watching every sport imaginable on television. She also loved decorating her home, collecting antiques, celebrating Christmas, baking, playing cards, and doing things for others. She had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke and a hearty laugh. All children, animals, friends, neighbors, and family were welcome in her home. Some highlights of her many travels were with her sister, Billie, to England to visit her great-grandparents' hometowns, as well as other sites in England and Wales. She also made frequent trips to Florida to visit her parents. She and Fred enjoyed traveling to visit her niece Connie and husband Tom in California along with trips to Virginia and Washington DC to gather with his WW II Navy buddies. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, April 14, 2017, with a visitation prior to the service from 10 to 12 noon all at the First United Methodist Church in East Peoria. Pastor Mary Arnold will officiate. Private burial will be at a later date at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Peoria First United Methodist Church located at 154 East Washington Street, East Peoria. The Fondulac Ladies Golf League, 201 Veterans Drive, East Peoria, TAPS (Tazewell Animal Protective Society), 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, or Easter Seals of Peoria, 507 Armstrong Ave., Peoria, IL. Memories and condolences may be sent using www.masonfuneralhomes.com.