Arlene Blake

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POLO – Arlene Blake, age 95 passed away on July 12, 2017 in her daughters home, Fulton, Ill. Born in grandpa Kuntzelman’s house in rural Egan, Ill. to Benjamin Jacob Zilliox and Vivian Naomi Kuntzelman Zilliox on May 30, 1922.
Lived most life in general area, walking to and from country schools. She Attended Leaf River High School. Married Arthur L. Blake on Sept. 21, 1939 in Clinton, Iowa, and the wedding was attended by Everette Ashton and Sara Moss.
Blake’s were farmers most of their life having 8 children: 2 passed as infants a son and daughter; and they raised 4 sons: Duane (Betty Blake, Tucson, Ariz.) Blake, who preceded her in death, Gary (Pam) Blake, Crane, Mo., Jim Blake, Cambridge, Wis., Tom (Loni Slothower) Blake, Forreston, Ill.; 2 daughters: Sharon (Eldon) Leisson, Forreston, Ill., Leona (Dennis) Miller, Fulton, Ill.; and as the family grew there became many grandchildren, great grandchildren and everyone became so busy going in different directions, some losing contact with the old folks.
Arthur and Arlene moved to their cottage in Wisconsin in 1999, a place of their dreams; with the pontoon and dock on the water – catfish look out! Blake’s were devout fisherman and did so to the end.
Sickness took over Arthur’s life in fall of 2005, in and out of hospitals; and at the same time Arlene broke an ankle and were both in the hospital at the same time. The daughters spent many hours back and forth. When they were released they moved back to Polo. Arthur’s illness became worse and he passed on Feb. 7, 2006, a sad day for the family. Arthur and Arlene were married 66 ½ years at that time. Having lost son, Duane a year before it became a time of double mourning. With the help of family members and good doctors, Arlene overcame a battle of her own.
Arlene during her lifetime, took care of family, helping with chores and fieldwork, she also loved to cook, bake pies, and the all famous homemade noodles as well as homemade breads. Arlene loved her family very much and did the best with what she had to work with.
Memorial service was held July 20, 2017 at 4 p.m. in Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mount Morris, with Rev. Josh Ehrler officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Silver Creek Cemetery, Mount Morris. Visitation was held July 20, 2017 from 3 p.m. until service time in Finch Funeral Home.
Arlene wishes the best to her family, and if any hard feelings between any of them, work on it and get the family back together.