John Raymond Blaisdell
May 19, 1922 ~ August 4, 2014
John Raymond Blaisdell, 92, of Bradford died early the morning of Monday, Aug. 4, 2014, at Courtyard Estates in Bradford, Ill. He was born May 19, 1922, in Bradford, Ill., to John Raymond and Julia Cooney Blaisdell. He married Mary Jean Harrington on June 29, 1946. She died on Feb. 3, 1983. He then married Catherine Code Purtscher on July 7, 1984. She died on Aug. 28, 2002. John was a lifelong resident of Bradford, serving his community well as mayor of the town, a member and president of the Board of Education of Bradford Schools and on various committees at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. John was proud of his career with the seed corn industry and was retired from Pioneer Seed Company. He is survived by his children, Larry (Patricia) Blaisdell of Orland Park, Ill., Jerry (Mary) Blaisdell of St. Charles, Ill., Julann (Tom) Ferguson of Wheaton, Ill., and Chauncey (Lori) Blaisdell of Scottsdale, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Patrick Purtscher, John Purtscher, Joe Purtscher, Marian Purtscher and Ed Purtscher; and brothers, Thomas of Bradford, Ill., and Robert of Tulsa, Okla. He was also preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Chauncey; two sisters, Helen Renner and Lillian Terwilliger; and stepson, Michael Purtscher. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, with Fr. Vein Van Do officiating. The family will receive mourners from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral Mass. Burial will be at St. John''s Catholic Cemetery in rural Bradford. Memorials may be directed to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or the Bradford Rescue Squad.
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Thoughts &prayers are with your family. He loved the CLYDESDALES.
To you terrific Blaisdell kids (I know Larry and Jerry best, because of our ages) I was so sad to hear of your dad’s passing…he was a great guy and a good friend to my dad. I always felt his kindness and loved his warm smile. I will keep you all in my prayers.
To all the Blaisdell Family,
My deepest condolences to all of you. Your Dad was a great man and long time neighbor when we were growing up on E. Main. Like so many so many others, he was like a father figure to many of us in Bradford. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Your Dad was a wonderful genuinely good person. With his upbeat personality and smile, I always enjoyed any time spent with him. I have lots of good memories of him and your family.
Blest with quit wit and the ability to find humor in most events, John was a joy to be with as I was growing up in Bradford.. My condolences to his family for your loss, and may your sorrow be tempered by the great memories you all share of John