Jerome W. Blaesing, 92, of 1846 Maple until four years ago, died at 8 a.m. on April 13 in the home of his daughter Theresa Winking, in Snellville, Georgia.

He was born on September 21, 1922 in Quincy, IL, a son of Charles and Helen (Heinze) Blaesing. He married Margaret Maidment on January 31, 1945 in Salisbury, England. She died February 6, 2011.

Jerome served in the Army during World War II and spent time in Germany, France, and the UK where he met his future wife. He worked for many years at Western Catholic Union and was active in the Knights of Columbus, the Secular Franciscans and St. Francis Church where he was a member for over 85 years. Jerome liked to bowl, was always ready to play table tennis, was an avid card player, and was always, always on the go.

He is survived by four children, Theresa Winking and her husband Tim of Snellville, GA, Ed Blaesing and his wife Kim of Quincy, Andy Blaesing and his wife Sallie of Ballwin, MO and Mary Bentley and her husband Terry of Lawrence, KS; eleven grandchildren, Matt Winking and his wife Kelly, Mark Winking and his wife Kristin, Jeff Winking and his wife Marisa, Jamie Blaesing and his wife Jenny, Kevin Blaesing and his wife Jennifer, Chris Blaesing and his fiancee Ashley Kierath, Chrissi Blaesing, Karen Steward and her husband Josh, Vicki Schrant and her husband Daniel, Dan Bentley and his significant other Morgan Savoia and Ellen Jacobsen and her husband Travis; and ten great-grandchildren, Justin Winking, TJ Winking, Patrick Winking, Evan Winking, Aubrey Blaesing, Jentry Blaesing, Jansyn Blaesing, Levi Schrant, Sarah Schrant and Jude Schrant.

In addition to his wife, Jerome was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard Blaesing.

A special thanks to Gentiva Hospice for all of their support in Jerome’s final days.

SERVICES: 10:00 a.m. Friday in the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:30 a.m. in St. Francis Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with a Secular Franciscan service at 5:30 p.m.
MEMORIALS: St. Francis Catholic Church.
ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.