Jan Edward Blank

Born February 1, 1940 in Peoria to Edward John and Nettie Mary (Finch) Blank, he married Caroline V. Hatcher on April 30, 1960 at Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur. Born to this union were four children, Catherine (Dan) Leman of Glen Ellyn, Michael (Terri) Blank of Washington, Karen (Tim) Tattersall of Glenwood, Iowa and Steven Blank of Creve Coeur. He later married Mary Elizabeth (Graney) Neaveill on June 1, 1996 in Morton. She died October 14, 2018 in Peoria. He also was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Josh Blank and one stepson, Michael Neaveill.

Surviving are his four children and three stepchildren, Deborah (Cy) Taylor of Pekin, Jean Neaveill of Bloomington and Gregory (Amber) Neaveill of Germantown Hills; seventeen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Lu Johnson, his lady friend, with whom he shared the last years of his life.

Jan worked for Central Illinois Light Company for 39 years as a lineman, trouble man, retiring in 1997. He was a proud member of IBEW Local 51 for more than 60 years. He loved the outdoors, nature, gardening, RVing, and most music, but especially Bluegrass. Spending time with his family was most important of all and a great passion of his was owning and operating Blanks Evergreen Acres, his family Christmas Tree Farm.

His funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Michael Andrejek will officiation. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Creve Coeur, with the recitation of the Rosary at 4:30 p.m. Further visitation will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will follow the Mass in Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 303 South 7th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Salvation Army, 243 Derby Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com