Beverly Joan Blaser

Beverly Joan Blaser, 86, formerly of Taylor Ridge IL, left us peacefully on Tuesday May 29, 2018 at Park Vista Legacy Unit, East Moline IL.

Services will be Saturday at 1:00pm, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 201 E 4th Ave, Milan IL, with visitation immediately preceding from 11:30 to 1:00. Memorials can be made to the Rock Island County 4-H Foundation or to the Park Vista Legacy Unit.

“Mom" or “Grandma" to more people than most of us know in a lifetime, Joan's love, kindness, & caring nature were the greatest gifts anyone could ever know. Although she accomplished many things in her life, her greatest joys were making cinnamon rolls at Christmas, cream filled cupcakes at Easter, enjoying iced tea & watermelon on the deck with family, & saving the day in what ever “crisis” happened to emerge for anyone. She always made the day brighter, and everyone felt loved and welcome at Grandma’s house.

The daughter of John Wilbur & Lois Elizabeth Thurman Bliss, Joan was born in Yates City IL on February 1, 1932. She married Darrel M Blaser in January of 1957, and was preceded in death by him in 1984. Joan earned a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Illinois, and later in life, was cheered on to her Master’s Degree by all of her children & grandchildren.

She enjoyed a long career as Family Life Educator with University of Illinois Extension, & following her retirement, maintained the library & computer lab at Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Joan was a member of Taylor Ridge United Methodist Church, Epsilon Sigma Phi, & HCE. One of her biggest life passions was giving back to others, and she enjoyed many years of leading 4-H & volunteering in community activities.

In her passing on Tuesday, Joan was joyfully welcomed by her parents, husband, brother John Bliss, & her beloved son John Blaser. Remembering her with much love are her children, Aletha (Fred) Williams, Sidney (Kathie) Blaser, Amy (Rev. Mike) Finley, grandchildren, Jessica Williams, Baylee Blaser, Sara Bushnell, & Alyson Blaser, many grandchildren & great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Also left to honor her memory are her sister-in-law, Dorothy (Roger) Albert, 4 nieces & their families, and her many beloved “grandchildren” at Park Vista. 

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