Blake Eugene Roderick

Blake Eugene Roderick
Pittsfield - Blake Eugene Roderick, 69, was born on January 20, 1957, in Gibson City, IL to Donald Eugene and Alice Joanne (Spring) Roderick. He passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Pittsfield, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother the Very Reverend Dr. Keith Richard Roderick; step-son Donald W. McKee; bonus sister Elizabeth Hanson; father-in-law Ralph Cummings; brother-in-law Kevin Cummings; grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
He married Betsy J. Cramsey in 2009 and she survives. He is survived by his son LTC Evan Roderick, wife Natasha, and grandchildren Henry, Daphne, and Lydia (Temple, TX); Jacob and Bridget Cramsey and grandson Remington (Barry); Joshua and Olivia Cramsey and grandchildren Lynden and Mabel (Camp Point); and Rachel (Isaac) Viar (Quincy).
Also surviving are sister Pamela S. Roderick (Austin); sister-in-law, Mary Beth Roderick (Stafford, VA); step-mother Patricia Roderick (Bentonville, AR); mother-in-law, Mary Cummings (Quincy); sisters-in-law Tawny (Roger) Benz (Quincy); Pam (Paul) Frankenbach (Palmyra, MO); Ellen (Rob) Traman (Ewing); bonus sister, Catherine (Kyle) Alexander (Bentonville, AR); aunts Sharyl Stevens (Sacramento, CA) and Nada King (Woodson); step-son John McKee and step-grandson Jack McKee; step granddaughter Chloe McKee (FL); as well as several dear nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends located across the nation and world.
He was a 1975 graduate of Springfield Lanphier High School where he served as Student Body President. He earned a BS degree in Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University.
He retired as Executive Director of the Pike-Scott Farm Bureau in 2022. He started his career in 1981 with the Sangamon County Farm Bureau and accepted the position as manager of the Pike County Farm Bureau in December 1981. He then assumed joint management of the Scott County Farm Bureau in 1987 and successfully shepherded the merger of the two organizations in 2018. He was also instrumental in creation of the Two Rivers Farm Bureau Foundation in 1994.
He liked to say that agriculture was nothing more than land and water. He focused his efforts on representing his members in dealing with water regulations, flood control, land use, real estate taxes, wildlife regulations, and renewable energy from the farm. He was active in representing those interests through working with local, state, regional, and federal government officials. He worked hard in leading the Pike-Scott Farm Bureau as a premier organization recognized on the state and national levels. He took much satisfaction in his organization's success in the Illinois Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau Federation. During his tenure, the organizations won many Liberty Bell awards as well as top membership honors and program awards over many years.
At the time of his death, he served on the board of the Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District (Mid-America's Port); was a commissioner of the Mid-America Port Commission where he served as Chairman (2023-2025); the board of the Illinois Presbyterian Home; and the U.S. Selective Service System.
Other leadership roles included Chairman of the Board of Illini Community Health Care System, Illini Community Hospital, and IHS Pharmacy; Vice-Chairman, Blessing Care Corporation; Treasurer, Illinois Council for Food and Agriculture Research (C-FAR); director on the Illini Community Health Care Foundation; Illinois 25x25 Coalition; Vice Chairman of the Community Foundation of Western Illinois and Northeast Missouri Pittsfield; Pittsfield Public Library; Pittsfield Theatre Guild; and other civic and community groups.
He was a graduate of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation program and was honored to be a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.
He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1995. He was Worshipful Master of Pittsfield Lodge #790 A.F. & A.M.; current District Deputy Grand Master, 13th Western District, Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois; 32° Scottish Rite Mason, Valley of Quincy; Ansar Shriner and past president of the Pike County Shrine Club. He was also a member of Carlock Lodge #904 in Mechanicsburg, IL where his great-grandfather was worshipful master in 1929.
He was baptized, raised, and was a member of the Third Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL.
He loved to travel. He and Betsy enjoyed many trips together. He didn't have a travel bucket list, but he did visit all 50 states, many state capitol buildings, five continents, and many countries, most recently to the 'home island' of Madeira, Portugal. He was an avid book collector focusing on Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and history along with some favorite classic spy and detective authors. He never found a rock, fossil, or piece of driftwood that wasn't worth toting home.
From an early age he was captivated by nature, loved his roses and gardens at the Ten Oaks/Noyes House, stargazing, and the space program. Throughout his career he was a writer and dabbled in writing verse and prose throughout his life. Also, he might have had an impish sense of humor laughing at his own jokes before delivering the punchline.
Most of all, he loved his wife and his family. He was proud of their accomplishments, and his only regret is that he won't be there to watch his grandchildren grow into adults.
In lieu of flowers, he would appreciate any remembrances be made to the Roderick Family Fund for Scientific Research at the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area where a scholarship fund benefiting local students has been established, or Pittsfield Masonic Lodge #790 A.F. & A.M. building fund. Funeral services will be held at Niebur Funeral Home 10 a.m., Friday, April 3, 2026. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with Masonic Service to be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 2, 2026 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.