Robert Blissard

Robert O. Blissard passed away on Monday, December 8, 2014 surrounded by family and dear friends. He, was born in Gibson City, IL on July 13, 1931 to Rollin P. and Frances E. (Poplett) Blissard. His visitation will be at Schreffler Funeral Home, Kankakee, IL on Friday, December 12 from 3:30 to 7:30 PM. There will be a visitation at Asbury Methodist Church at 10:00 AM Saturday Dec. 13 until the time of his service at 11:00. After graduating from Drummer Township HS in Gibson City, he enlisted in the US Army in 1951. He served the US army from 1951-1954 stationed in Turkey. Robert graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Commerce with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting in 1957. He was affiliated with the fraternity of Sigma Tau Gamma and a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. Robert was associated with Weyerhaeuser Company in Wausau WI from 1957 till his retirement in 1994. While in Wausau he was a member of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. After retiring he relocated to Savoy, IL to be near University of Illinois Campus and began attending St. John the Divine Episcopal Chapel on the campus of the U of I, Champaign. He has served as an usher and assistant treasurer there. Robert is a life member of the U of I Alumni Association and a longtime contributor to the U of I Foundation. In 1972 Robert became a charter member of the U of I Library Friends. He served on the Board of Directors of that group from 1995 – 1999. Robert volunteered as an usher at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the U of I for several. He also passionately volunteered in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at the U of I. He was honored to have worked on the collections of Carl Sandberg, H.G. Wells, Spanish Civil War, and The Ratterman Collection, among others. Robert was a member of the U of I President’s Council and University Librarian Council. The Robert Blissard Endowment Fund for the UI Library Friends was established in 2008. In honor of his parents. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be made to either the U of I Library Endowment Fund or the Rollin P. and Frances E. Blissard Scholarship Fund. These gifts may be sent to Schreffler Funeral Home at 1900 W. Court St., Kankakee, IL 60901. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Rollin P. Blissard and Frances E. Blissard. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Hubert Blissard, MI, a sister, Luetta Malone, Blue Mound IL, a sister, Kathryn Chase of Kankakee, IL and his youngest sister, Roberta Bressette from Roscommon, MI. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mildred Wood, MI, and brother-in-law Benjamin Bresette of Roscommon, MI. Robert is also survived by nephews, Gene Freund, (Sharon), WI, James Chase, (Debbie), MO, Thomas Chase,(Jane), MN, Joseph Bressette, (Theresa), MI. In addition he is survived by nieces, Jackie Tapp, IL, Donna Whittaker, (Jack), IL, Cindy Budd, MI, Bonnie Rudolf, (Bob), IL and Jeanne Emerick, MI. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, December 12, 2014 at the Kankakee chapel of the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The celebration of life service will be Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the Asbury United Methodist church in Kankakee, IL at 11:00 a.m. Cremation rites will be accorded after the service. Please visit www.aschrefflerfuneralhomes.com where you can learn more about Robert’s life, archive a favorite memory or photo and sign the online guestbook.

Robert Blissard

July 13, 1931 - December 8, 2014

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Robert Blissard

July 13, 1931 - December 8, 2014

365 Days of Grief Support

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