Patsy A. Blum

Patsy Blum

Patsy Ann Blum, nee Maher, 74, of Marissa, Ill., born Feb. 28, 1940, in St. Louis, Mo., died Sunday, March 30, 2014, at Sparta Community Hospital in Sparta, Ill.

Mrs. Blum was a CNA and a homemaker. She had attended St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, Ill., and also Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Sparta, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Guilford James "Gilly" Blum, whom she married April 18, 1959, at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, Ill., and who died on Nov. 25, 2007; her parents, Steve "Bud" and Nola (Warren) Maher; two brothers, Frankie and Bobby Maher; a sister, Mary "Jeanette" Janis; and a sister-in-law; Marilyn "Dolly" Friend.

Surviving are three daughters, Gina (Sam) Houston of Red Bud, Ill., Lynn (Glenn) Sauerwein of Walsh, Ill., and Vonda (Todd) Fritsche of New Athens, Ill.; 15 grandchildren, Daniel (Dana) Range, Michael (Cassandra) Range, John (Jennifer) Range, Tiffany Range, Anthony (Ashley) Wittenbrink, Andrew and Aaron Wittenbrink, Chad (Ashley) Fritsche, Brandon (Megan) Fritsche, Erica (Chad) Brueggemann, Jenna (Brian) Gibbs, Sam Houston Jr., Jack Houston, Jacob Houston, and Kasey Sauerwein; 15 great-grandchildren, Bly Range, John Range Jr., Acton, Aubrey and Payton Wittenbrink, Raegan and Bree Range, Tiana Kent, Bradon and Kyle Fritsche, Gracelyn and Isabella Gibbs, Audriana Dayton, Adam Salinas and Amathyst Miller; four brothers, Donnie (Terri) Maher of Palm Springs, Calif., Harvey "Corky" (Helen) Maher of Pottsville, Ark., Steve (Bev) Maher of Arcola, Ill., and John (Linda) Maher of Caseyville, Ill.; two sisters, Kathy (Marvin) Grueninger of Portland, Ore., and Sharon (Ed) Horn of Waterloo, Ill.; a brother-in-law, Dennis Blum of Delta, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Kosair Children's Hospital, 231 E. Chestnut St., Louisville, Ky. 40202.

Visitation: Friends may call on from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 2014, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2014, at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home, New Athens, Ill. A prayer service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home.



Funeral: Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2014, at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, Ill., with Father James M. Nall officiating. Burial will be held at St. Agatha Catholic Cemetery, New Athens, Ill.

HEIL-SCHUESSLER FUNERAL HOME, New Athens, Ill.