Florence E. Blimling

November 1, 1928 - February 9, 2013

Florence E. Blimling, 84, of rural Roodhouse passed away surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at her residence. She was born Nov. 1, 1928 in Franklin, the daughter of William Edgar and Frankie Odette Dyer Killebrew. Florence married Dale McCurley Blimling Mar. 8, 1947 in Murrayville. Dale survives in rural Roodhouse. Surviving are five children, Diana Wright of Litchfield, Earlene Fox of Roodhouse, Bonnie Hamilton (special friend, Rick Frigo) of Jacksonville, Jo Ellen (husband, Steve) Waltrip of Jacksonville, and Michael (wife, Jackie) Blimling Austin of Jacksonville; eleven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and one sister, Frances Fern Clayton of Winchester. Two brothers and three sisters preceded her in death. Florence’s brother, William Edward Killbrew, died Feb. 10, 1944 in Japan where he was a prisoner of war. Mrs. Blimling retired from Jacksonville School for the Deaf in 1991. Previously she was employed at the Jacksonville State Hospital as a switchboard operator and Passavant Hospital as a surgical technician. She had been active in the AFSME Retirees as the executive secretary and member of the executive board. She was an active member of the Athensville Baptist Church and Athensville Home Extension. She was a past member of the Murrayville Eastern Star. Florence was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Daws Family Funeral Home in South Jacksonville with interment in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery south of Jacksonville. Visitation will be held Wednesday after 2:00 p.m. with the family meeting friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Athensville Baptist Church, Zbinden Ministries, or the South Jacksonville Fire Department.