She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Bessie Blackburn, daughter Dawn, and her siblings Stan Blackburn, Spence Blackburn, Maureen Gutierrez, Pauline Straub, Lillian Fleck, Dessel Wald, and Ken Blackburn.
Esther leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband Bill, her daughter Pam Gray, son Richard Gaa, grandchildren Cal Peacock, Cody Gray, Nicholas Gaa, Kelsey Havens, Spencer Gaa, and Danielle Burkhart, and 12 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Maggie.
Esther was a member of Seventh day Adventist church in Springfield IL. Over the years she worked at Bergner’s in Sheridan Village, Sears in Northwoods Mall, and at Peoria Heights Grade School. She loved to read and was known to have the best recipe for spaghetti and meatballs. As the youngest of her siblings, the Blackburn name held great meaning to Esther and she was proud of her family.
