Leroy Blades

Leroy Blades, 79, of Cedar Hill went to be with His Lord, Saturday evening, September 26. He was born July 30, 1936, in Williamson County, Illinois, to Louis Thomas and Minerva Evelyn Lappin Blades. Leroy graduated from Johnston City High School in 1954. He married Janice Fay Williams on November 29, 1958. They enjoyed over 56 years of marriage together. Leroy made a decision to follow Christ in 1950, a decision he faithfully lived out for the rest of his life. His three main loves were God, family and work, in that order. He faithfully attended and served in the Harmony and Johnston City First Free Will Baptist Churches in Illinois, and the Heads Free Will Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, where he spent his final years. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and many others he included as family. He worked over 33 years for General Telephone of Illinois. Survivors include his wife Janice, children, Keith and Sarah (Blades) Fletcher of Johnston City, Illinois, John Blades of Ashland City, and David and Cynthia (Balthrop) Blades of Cedar Hill; grandchildren Aaron and Marissa (Smith) Fletcher, Jesse Fletcher, and Daniel and Hannah (Fletcher) Page, of Nashville, ; Eden and Leigha (Blades) Ramos and Lewis Blades of Ashland City; Samuel, Autumn, Catherine and Nathan Blades of Cedar Hill; and great-grandson Michael Elier Ramos, born just six weeks ago. Through the years, many others also called him grandpa, dad and uncle. He is also survived by his oldest brother Gene (Sue) Blades of Thompsonville, Illinois, his youngest brother Everett (Betty) Blades of Marion, Illinois, and sister Betty (Blades) King of Johnston City, Illinois. Leroy was preceded in death by his mother, father, step-dad Loren Sanders, sister Helen (Blades) Summers, and brothers Paul and Robert Blades. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 30, 7 p.m., at the Heads Free Will Baptist Church in Cedar Hill. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 2, at Murman and Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City, Illinois, with visitation Thursday evening, October 1, from 5-8 p.m. Burial will be at Boner Cemetery near West Frankfort, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heads Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund or to the First Free Will Baptist Church of Johnston City. Local arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Pleasant View.

Leroy Blades

July 30, 1936 - September 26, 2015