We honor here members, friends and supporters of the American Council of the Blind who have impacted our lives in many wonderful ways. If you would like to submit a notice for this column, please include as much of the following information as possible.
Name (first, last, maiden if appropriate)
City of residence (upon passing)
State/province of residence (upon passing)
Other cities/states/countries of residence (places where other blind people may have known this person)
Occupation
Date of death (day if known, month, year)
Age
ACB affiliation (local/state/special-interest affiliates or national committees)
Deaths that occurred more than six months ago cannot be reported in this column.
Thomas D. "Dick" Bledsoe
(Reprinted from "The Peoria [Ill.] Journal Star," March 11, 2012.)
Thomas D. "Dick" Bledsoe, 57, of Peoria passed away at 2:20 a.m. March 9, 2012, at his home. He was born March 16, 1954, in Sikeston, Mo., to William D. and Dorothy "Cleo" Crews. He married Alice F. Schmidt on Oct. 12, 1986, in Bartonville. She survives. Also surviving are brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wayne (Lavonne) Schmidt of Savoy, Ill.; one uncle and aunt, Hollis (Rose) Bledsoe of Avoca, Iowa; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by one infant sister, parents, grandparents and an uncle.
He loved the St. Louis Cardinals, reading, old time radio and his three dogs, Gunner, Molly and Fargo.
Dick attended Florida College in Temple Terrace, Fla., as well as Illinois Central College, and received his bachelor's degree in history from Bradley University. Dick worked at Royal Publishing from 1984 to 1986. He also worked various other sales jobs, retiring in 1996. He was a member and served on the board of directors of Peoria Area Blind People Center, board of directors of Mary Bryant Home for the Blind in Springfield, board of directors of Radio Information Service in Peoria, former president and on the board of directors of Illinois Council of the Blind, and served on the committee of the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center in East Peoria. He was currently serving on the board of directors for Horizons for the Blind Inc. in Crystal Lake, Ill., and treasurer of Illinois Social Club.
Funeral services were held March 14 at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel. He was buried in St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Illinois Council of the Blind, P.O. Box 1336, Springfield, IL 62705, or Horizons for the Blind Inc., 125 Erick St., A103, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com.
Robert Hancik
(Reprinted from "The Morning Call," March 10, 2012.)
Robert Hancik, 58, of Bethlehem, died on March 9, 2012. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late James Hancik and Margaret (Havernic) Hancik Moritz. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sherry (Taylor) Hancik. Robert was employed by RadPrin from 1981 until its closing in 2009. He was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Sherry; brothers, James and Larry Hancik; sisters, Judy Maffea and Margie Daily; step-father, Bruno Moritz; step-brothers, Gary and Bruno Moritz; and in-laws, Kathy, Linda, Bill and Robert.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held March 13 at the Saints Simon and Jude Church, 730 West Broad St., Bethlehem. Inurnment was in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.
Memorials may be made to the Lehigh Valley Council of the Blind and sent in care of Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.