Edward Raymond Blair

IN MEMORY OF: Edward Raymond Blair Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Edward Raymond Blair, age 94, of Carterville, passed away at home on Saturday, September 28, 2024 with his wife Emma by his side. He was born in Sparta, Illinois on October 10, 1929, to Raymond Blair and Agnes (Surman) Blair. Edward married the love of his life, Emma Brewer, and they enjoyed a wonderful marriage for over 73 years. He proudly served in the United States Army in the sixth Armored Artillery during the Korean Conflict. He worked at the Prairie Farms Creamery prior to working at the United States Post Office in Carbondale. He retired from the Post Office after 35 years. During his time at the Post Office, he became an avid stamp collector. Throughout his life, he also worked as a self-employed house painter. He was a member of the Grand Avenue Christian Church in Carbondale. He served as a Deacon at the Western Heights Christian Church prior to the construction of Grand Avenue Christian Church. Edward loved to read and always had a stack of books by his chair. He always had a jigsaw puzzle going and welcomed anyone to sit and work on it with him. He also enjoyed working in the yard and was proud of his flowers. He loved watching the birds out the dining room window and diligently fed them all winter. He grew up hunting and fishing and shared this love with his children and grandchildren. He especially enjoyed fishing with his friend, Charlie McBride, and the two of them always had great stories to tell about their fishing trips. But the delight of his life was his family. He and Emma were blessed with three children, Linda (Kent) Casleton of Cumming, Georgia, Michael (Karla) Blair of Makanda, Illinois, and Jeffrey (Debbie) Blair of Marion, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Amy (Hector) Valderrama of Cumming, Georgia, Kristin (Lance) Lowrey of Birmingham, Alabama, David Casleton of White Rock, New Mexico, Kimberly (Cody) Kraatz of Makanda, Illinois, Jennifer (Shawn) Rabideau of Carterville, Illinois, Steven (Joanna) Blair of Carterville, Illinois, Brett (Bailey) Blair of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and eleven great-grandchildren, Lucas and Ethan Valderrama, Addison, Kennedy, and Harper Lowrey, Graham and Mae Casleton, Tyler and Joey Kraatz, and Chloe and Grace Rabideau; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Evelyn Hartman and Louise Blair. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home with Pastor Jerry Kizzire officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, expressions of love may be made to the Grand Avenue Christian Church, Carbondale, Illinois.

Edward Raymond Blair

October 10, 1929 - September 28, 2024