Gwen E. Blake

Gwen E. Blake, 90, of Galesburg, died at 2:34 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2014 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.

Gwen was born on September 8, 1924 in Galesburg, the daughter of Cecil and Louise Elliott Fishburn.  She was raised by Lloyd and Louise LaGrow.  She married John J. Blake on December 27, 1947 in Galesburg.  Gwen is survived by her husband, John of Galesburg; two sons, Pat (Barb) and Jim (Lisa) both of Galesburg; a daughter, Sue (Angelo) Ippolito of Naperville; three grandchildren, Trisha Blake, Kelsey Blake, and David Blake; and two great grandchildren, John Angelo Ippolito and Andreas Daniel Ippolito.  She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother, Arthur Fishburn.

Gwen graduated from Galesburg High School.  Gwen worked for the Veterans Administration in Lincoln, NE while John was attending law school.  After they returned to Galesburg, Gwen worked for a time at Midwest Manufacturing.  After having children, Gwen became a homemaker. 

She was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, a fifty plus year member at Lake Bracken Country Club, and the Lake Bracken Ladies Golf League.  Gwen also was a member of Ralph M. Noble American Legion Auxiliary, St. Mary’s Auxiliary, and a volunteer at St. Mary’s Medical Records.  She enjoyed golfing, playing bridge and bowling.  She also enjoyed needlepoint and crocheting, and in later years, playing games on her iPad. 

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday, November 13, 2014 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Rev. William T. Miller, IC will officiate.  A luncheon will follow at the Thomas Legacy Center.  Private family burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Galesburg.  The rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, with the visitation to follow from 6-8 p.m.  In lieu of flower, memorials may be made to Costa Catholic Academy or OSF St. Mary’s Auxiliary.  Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.