Byron Lindsey Blotcky ^87,94

The Pantagraph
Bloomington, IL
Saturday, March 19, 2011

Byron Lindsey Blotcky

NORMAL - Byron Lindsey Blotcky, 89, known as Lindsey, passed away on Monday (March 14, 2011) at his home in Normal.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. today at Knapp Funeral Home in Onarga, with visitation one hour before. The Rev. Elizabeth Reis will officiate. Burial will be in Onarga Cemetery, with military graveside rites by Onarga American Legion Post 551.

Memorials may be made to Illinois Wesleyan University or the Salvation Army.

Lindsey, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and banker of Onarga, was born May 15, 1921, in Chicago, the son of Byron Ralph and Osa Lindsey Blotcky. He married Mary Rosalie Wasmer on Aug. 28, 1943, in Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he was stationed with the U.S. Marine Corps.

She survives along with three sons, Ronald Lindsey Blotcky, Ridgecrest, Calif.; Gary Lee (Nancy) Blotcky, Manitowoc, Wis.; and Byron William Blotcky (Terri Obrien), Bloomington; and one daughter, Susan Osa (Roger) Essmann, Earlville; 13 grandchildren, Aaron S. Essmann, Chicago; Kira L. (Justin) Bender, Mosinee, Wis.; Kelsey A. Essmann, Earlville; Cole L. Blotcky, Chicago; Ashley S. Blotcky and Taylor K. Blotcky, both of Normal; Ronald L. (Angeleen Hamilton) Blotcky Jr., Peoria, Ariz.; Kristen M. Blotcky and Sarah C. Blotcky, both of Ridgecrest, Calif.; Kelley K. (Maurice) Friedman, Chicago; Chris W. (Kara) Grimes, Plano, Texas; Andy J. (Denise) Grimes, Bloomington; and Tim H. Grimes, Los Angeles, Calif.; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant son, Thomas.

He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan, where he was co-captain of the baseball team and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Lindsey enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and was commissioned a lieutenant. He served as a communications officer in the South Pacific including the Ulithi Islands. He continued serving in the Marine Corps Reserves and retired as a captain.

After the war, Lindsey joined his father working at the Onarga Mercantile Store until 1959, when he joined the Onarga State Bank. He retired as executive vice president in 1982, and moved to Normal in 1989. He was a member of the Onarga American Legion; Lions Club; treasurer of the Onarga School Board; and Salvation Army. He was a lifelong Cubs fan.

The family would like to thank Dr. Bruha, his staff and the OSF Hospice for their excellent care.

Please sign the guestbook at knappfuneralhomes.com.

  Events

• He appeared on the census in 1930 in Onarga, Iroquois County, Illinois. He lived in the household of his parents.

• He appeared on the census in 1940 in Onarga, Iroquois County, Illinois. He lived in the household of his parents.

• He served in the military during World War II as a Lieut. He was enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. and served as a Communications Officer in the South Pacific, including the Ulithe Islands. He continued serving in the Marine Corp Reserves and retired as a Captain.

• He was educated at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Mclean County, Illinois. He was co-captain of the baseball team and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

• He worked as a banker at the Onarga State Bank and retired as Executive Vice President in 1982 in Onarga, Iroquois County, Illinois. He had worked with his father at the Onarga Mercantile Store until he joined the bank in 1959.

• He was a member of the Onarga American Legion, Lions Club, treasurer for the Onarga School Board and Salvation Army. He was a lifelong Cub fan.

• He had a residence at 1509 Fort Jesse Road from 1989 to 2011 in Normal, Mclean County, Illinois.

• His funeral was held at Knapp Funeral Home with Rev. Elizabth Reis officiating 19 March 2011 in Onarga, Iroquois County, Illinois.

Byron married Mary Rosalie Wasmer, daughter of Louis Benjamin Wasmer and Martha Mae Washburn, 28 August 1943 in Camp Lejeune, Onslow County, North Carolina.⁹³ (Mary Rosalie Wasmer was born 12 December 1921 in Gilman, Iroquois County, Illinois,⁹⁶ died 19 December 2013 in Mendota, LaSalle County, Illinois ⁹⁶ and was buried after 19 December 2013 in Onarga, Iroquois County, Illinois at Onarga Cemetery ⁹⁶.)