Obituaries: Bland

Marilyn BlandMarilyn Bland

Marilyn A. Bland, 90, of El Paso, formerly of Bloomington, Las Vegas and Rockford, passed away at 1:05 p.m. on July 12 at Heritage Health Care Center in El Paso.

Her Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials may be made to Heritage Health Care Activity Fund El Paso. Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Marilyn was born on Oct. 15, 1925 in St. Joseph, Missouri, a daughter to Frank and Leona Hoskins Baker. She married James L. Bland in Queen City, Mo. on April 17, 1943. He preceded her in death in 2007.

Surviving are two sons, James (Karen) Bland, Hudson and Jody (Stina) Bland, Denver, Co.; three grandchildren, Jayme (Lora) Bland, Hudson, Hannah and Alex Bland, Denver, Co.; two step-grandchildren, Doug (Michelle) Robinson, St. Charles, Donnie (Jonna) Robinson, Bloomington; eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Helen and Martha.

Marilyn was very creative and enjoyed sewing, working with stained glass, gardening, and quilting. She worked at Barber-Coleman in Rockford before retiring in 1977. She also enjoyed traveling the world with her husband.

The family would like to thank the Staff at Heritage Health Care Center for the loving care they gave Marilyn while she was there.

Online condolences and memories of Marilyn may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…