Cathryn "Cathy" J. Bladel, 70, of Rockford, formerly of East Moline, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Anam Care, Rockford.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, March 7th and 9:30 to 10:30 am on Saturday, March 8th at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Memorials may be left in care of the Alzheimer's Association.

Cathy was born on September 13, 1954 in Moline, IL, a daughter of Jack and Elsa (Cox) Hickson. She graduated from Rock Island High School in 1972.  Cathy married James L. Bladel on May 13, 1978 in Rock Island. She later went on to earn her degree in nursing from Black Hawk College in 1984. Cathy worked as a nurse for many years within several physician's offices and nursing homes in the Quad Cities.

Jim and Cathy spent 21 years in Pactolus, North Carolina, where she volunteered her healthcare services within various facilities and a local EMS service.

Cathy's hobbies included cross-stitching, reading and listening to music.

Those left to cherish Cathy's memory include her husband, James "Jim" Bladel; son, Dr. Shawn M. (Heather) Bladel; grandchildren, Alexi (Lane) Harvey, Hunter (Adalia) Bladel, Caleb Bladel, Skylar Bladel, Kiam Bladel and Sydney Mary-Jane Bladel; great-grandchildren, Annias and Lincoln Ray; and siblings, Gail (Michael) Anderson, Johnny (Lorrie) Hickson, David Hickson and Al Jaros.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers.

The family would like to thank the staff at Anam Care and Heartland Hospice for their wonderful care of Cathy.