[il-talk] obituary for Thomas (Dick) Bledsoe

[Bill Reif]

Below is the text of an obituary, published in the Peoria Journal-Star 
on Sunday, March 14th.

Bill
Thomas Bledsoe   |
PEORIA
- Thomas D. "Dick" Bledsoe, 57, of Peoria passed away at 2:20 a.m. 
Friday, March
9, 2012, at his home.
He was born March 16, 1954, in Sikeston, Mo., to William D. and Dorothy 
"Cleo" Crews.
He married Alice F. Schmidt on Oct. 12, 1986, in Bartonville. She survives.
Also surviving are brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wayne (Lavonne) 
Schmidt of Savoy,
Ill.; one uncle and aunt, Hollis (Rose) Bledsoe of Avoca, Iowa; several 
nieces, nephews,
cousins and many friends.
He was preceded in death by one infant sister, parents, grandparents and 
an uncle.
He loved the St. Louis Cardinals, reading, old time radio and his three 
dogs, Gunner,
Molly and Fargo.
Dick attended Florida College in Temple Terrace, Fla., Illinois Central 
College and
received his bachelor's degree in history from Bradley University.
Dick worked at Royal Publishing from 1984 to 1986. He also worked 
various other sales
jobs, retiring in 1996.
He was a member and served on the board of directors of Peoria Area 
Blind People
Center, board of directors of Mary Bryant Home for the Blind in 
Springfield, board
of directors of Radio Information Service in Peoria, former president 
and on the
board of directors of Illinois Council of the Blind and served on the 
committee of
the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center in East Peoria. He was currently 
serving on
the board of directors for Horizons for the Blind Inc. in Crystal Lake, 
Ill., and
treasurer of Illinois Social Club.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at 
Davison-Fulton
Bartonville Chapel. Rick Liggin will officiate. Visitation will be from 
4 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday at the chapel and one hour prior to services on Wednesday. 
Burial will be
in St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Illinois Council of the Blind, P.O. Box 1336, 
Springfield,
IL 62705, or Horizons for the Blind Inc., 125 Erick St., A103, Crystal 
Lake, IL 60014,
or to a
charity of the donor's choice
.
Online tributes and condolences may be made at
www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com
.
Published in Peoria Journal Star on March 11, 2012