Margery Cotey Obituary (1934 - 2020)

Margery M. (Bliss) Cotey, 85, of Rockford, IL, formerly of Durand, IL passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness at 1:15 a.m., Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Born September 18, 1934 in Shullsburg, WI, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl and Bessie (Luy) Martin. She was raised by foster parents Neil and Bertha Dittmar, who had her last name changed to Dittmar. She graduated from Durand High School, Class of 1952. She married Fred Bliss in 1952, they divorced in 1982. She then married John W. Cotey on October 23, 1982. Margery worked in a factory in Freeport until it closed, then as a waitress at the Wheel Inn and then worked 18 years for Bliss Grocery before moving to Sparta, TN. She was a member of Durand United Methodist Church and a former member of the Clearcreek Baptist Church in Crossville, TN. She was a very active person playing softball with the Cherubs, was on a bowling league for many years, was active in the Durand Fireman’s Auxiliary winning many water fighting trophies and was very active in the Girl Scout program while living in Durand. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Survivors include her ex-husband, Fred Bliss; daughters Christy (Gavin) Byl and Connie Saylor; son David (Nancy) Bliss; four step children Colleen, Nancy (David) Bliss, Tyler (Kelli) Cotey and Jon (Kellie) Cotey; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both sets of parents, husband John W. Cotey, son Jeffery Bliss, grandson Robert Byl, three infant siblings, sisters Lu Ann, Hazel and Grace, brothers Harold, Robert, Orville, Loyd and Leo Martin, step son Bill Cotey and nephew Thomas Wells. Memorial services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 2020 in Durand United Methodist Church, 102 E. Main Street, Durand, IL with Rev. Dr. Nicole Snyder, pastor of Durand United Methodist Church officiating. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m until time of services on Saturday. Cremation rites were accorded with final resting place to be in Durand Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriner’s Foundation, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607