Lamar W. Bland Obituary (1915 - 2010)

LA MAR W. Bland, 94, passed away at 1:45 p.m., at Highview in the Woodlands on February 19, 2010 after complications from a fall. He was born in Rutland, IN on October 22, 1915 to Paul and Alta Grace (Davis) Bland. He attended schools in Indiana before going to live with foster father, Turner Love, in Harvard, IL. He later followed Turner to Rockton, IL in the mid 1930’s and worked for area farmers, thereby meeting his future wife, Marguerite Truman. They were married on October 13, 1937. They lived in Beloit, WI for a short time, and he worked for Wright and Wagner Dairy and Old Fashioned Bakery before resuming farming in the Roscoe area for many years. He was on the school board of Windy Peak School and Kinnikinnick Grade School in Roscoe. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for John Kelley Sand & Gravel in Roscoe, and had his own trenching business for a short while. After he quit farming, he worked for Larson Bros. Sand & Gravel in Loves Park, which afforded him winters off to travel south. He and his wife wintered in the Rio Grande Valley of TX from the early 1960’s, and traveled everywhere in their motor home. They moved to LaFeria, TX permanently in the early 1980’s. Marguerite passed away on November 20, 1997 after celebrating their 60th anniversary the month before. LaMar remained in LaFeria until May, 2007 when he moved to North Pointe Terrace in Roscoe, and then to Highview in the Woodlands in December 2009. He loved old country songs, and in earlier years, played guitar and sang with his brother. He later played the organ by ear until the last few years. He will be sadly missed by daughters, Gloria Peck, Roscoe, IL, (former son-in-law who remained constant in his life, Lloyd Peck, Paris, MO), Joanne Biggart, Glendale, AZ, and Ellynn Carter, Freeport, FL; grandsons, Donald (Julie) Farrell, and Richard (Pam) Farrell, both of Belfair, WA, Cary (Phatcharee) Biggart, Seoul, Korea, Jeffrey (Linda) Peck, Paris, MO, Todd Peck, San Antonio, TX, and Gregg (Tara) Farrell, Grand Marsh, WI; six great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Virginia Bland, Twin Falls, ID, cousins, nieces, nephews, and special friend, Mike Schewe. He was preceded in death by his parents, foster father, wife, Marguerite, brother, Robert Bland, sister Edna Mae Shields, and grandson, Cliffy Biggart. He was a wonderful father and a gentleman to the end, and will be missed by all who knew him. Our thanks to Heartland Hospice and Beloit Regional Hospice for their kind assistance. Cremation Rites to be accorded. Private family services will be held on Father’s Day weekend. Memorials may be made to Beloit Regional Hospice, 655 Third St., Suite 200, Beloit, WI 53511. McCorkle Funeral Home, 767 N Blackhawk Blvd, Rockton, IL assisted the family.