Mrs. Patsy Ann Blum

Patsy Ann Blum, nee Maher, 74, of Marissa, IL, born February 28, 1940 in St. Louis, MO, died Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Sparta Community Hospital in Sparta, IL. Mrs. Blum was a CNA and a homemaker. She had attended St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, IL and also Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Sparta, IL. Mrs. Blum was preceded in death by her husband, Guilford James "Gilly" Blum, whom she married on April 18, 1959 at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, IL, and who died on November 25, 2007; her parents; Steve "Bud" and Nola (Warren) Maher; 2 brothers; Frankie and Bobby Maher and 1 sister, Mary "Jeanette" Janis and 1 sister-in-law; Marilyn "Dolly" Friend. Surviving Patsy are her 3 daughters; Gina (Sam) Houston of Red Bud, IL, Lynn (Glenn) Sauerwein of Walsh, IL and Vonda (Todd) Fritsche of New Athens, IL; 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; 4 brothers; Donnie (Terri) Maher of Palm Springs, CA, Harvey "Corky (Helen) Maher of Pottsville, Ark, Steve (Bev) Maher of Arcola, IL and John (Linda) Maher of Caseyville, IL; 2 sisters, Kathy (Marvin) Grueninger of Portland, Ore, and Sharon (Ed) Horn of Waterloo, IL: 1 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 at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL on Thursday, April 3, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, April 4, 2014 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A prayer service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 4, 2014 at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, IL with Father James M. Nall officiating. Interment: Burial will be held at St. Agatha Catholic Cemetery in New Athens, IL Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL is in charge of arrangements