John J. Blake

John J. Blake, 93, of Galesburg, died at 10:40 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Rosewood Care Center, Galesburg.

John was born March 9, 1923 in Galesburg, the son of John and Anna Fox Blake. He married Gwen E. Fishburn on December 27, 1947 in Galesburg. Gwen preceded him in death on November 9, 2014. John is survived by one daughter, Sue (Angelo) Ippolito of Naperville; two sons, Pat (Barb) and Jim (Lisa) Blake both of Galesburg; three grandchildren, Trisha (J.R. Millar), Kelsey, and David Blake; and four great grandchildren, Lexie Rose Millar, John Angelo Ippolito, Andreas Daniel Ippolito, and Christopher Anthony Ippolito. Along with his wife Gwen and his parents, John was preceded in death by one brother, George.

John graduated from Corpus Christi in 1942. He then attended the University of Illinois and Knox College and graduated from the University of Nebraska Law School in 1950. John served in the US Air Force during WWII. He was admitted to the Illinois and Nebraska Bar in 1950. From 1950 to 1955 John worked for the legal firm of Stuart, Neagle, and West. In 1955 he opened Blake Law Office. John served as the Galesburg City Attorney from 1953 to 1957. He resigned in 1957 to begin securing the right-a-ways for the waterline from Oquawka to Galesburg. In 1962 John went to work for the law firm of Nelson and Gustafson and later became Nelson, Gustafson, and Blake. John retired on December31, 2013 at the age of 90 when his granddaughter, Trisha was admitted to the Bar and became an attorney at Blake Law Office. John will long be remembered for his kind and giving heart. He was a generous man who never turned anyone away regardless of their situation.

John was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and the Knox County Bar Association. He was also a member of Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285 and a 50 year member of Lake Bracken Country Club. John was also a past member of the Kiwanis Club and a member of Father J.O. Hunt Knights of Columbus Council 556.

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.  Rev. William T. Miller will officiate.  Military rites will be conducted by VFW 2257/Legion 285 Honor Guard following the services. Private family burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.  The rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, with visitation following from 6 to 8 p.m.  Memorials may be made to Costa Catholic Academy or a charity of the donor's choice.  On-line expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.