Glen Blessing

The Peoria Journal Star on 1/31/2009

East Peoria - Glen R. Blessing, age 94, of East Peoria passed away at 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, at Heartland Healthcare at Riverview in East Peoria.

He was born on Jan. 2, 1915, in Makanda, Ill., to William and Emma Ferguson Blessing. Glen married Evalea Moroney on Nov. 28, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio. She survives.

Glen attended Sterling College in Sterling, Kan., and played basketball while there. Later, he played minor league baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates' farm team.

Glen was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1942 until 1946. In the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Glen was aboard the destroyer ship USS Hawkins.

Glen was employed as a special-equipment assembler for Caterpillar Inc. for 29 years prior to retirement in 1975.

He was a member of the Caterpillar Retirees Club, the Fondulac Seniors Golf League and the Fondulac Pool League.

Glen is survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his four brothers, Earl, Lloyd, Harvey and John Blessing; his sister, Flora Stevens; four half brothers; and three half sisters.

Funeral services for Glen will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria, with Dick Chamberlain and the Rev. Ken Marchulones officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.

Interment will be in Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria, with military honors being accorded at the graveside by the U.S. Navy.

Memorial contributions may be made to Methodist Hospice, 415 St. Mark Court, Peoria, IL 61603; or the Salvation Army, 4912 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61614.

Online tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.mem.com.