Jeanne Ann Blakey

Jeanne Ann Tessman Blakey, age 73, of Arcadia, Missouri passed away on October 27, 2024, surrounded by family and her beloved Little Dog, in her favorite place on earth, her tiny home in Arcadia, Missouri. On September 26, 1951, Jeanne Ann Tessman Blakey entered the world at Kewanee Public Hospital in Kewanee, Illinois. She became the youngest daughter born to Edwin Charles Tessman and Harriett Eleanor (Czech) Tessman. She married Marty Joe Blakey on June 8, 1979, and just celebrated their anniversary of 45 years. Jeanne graduated from Western Illinois, where she received her teaching degree. She was a sales manager at WKEI Radio in Kewanee, Illinois, was an accountant for her husband when he worked at Schwan’s and became a sales manager’s wife when he was promoted. She became a United Methodist pastor’s wife when Marty became a United Methodist Pastor. She was a certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church. Marty and Jeanne also worked together in the children’s ministry after they retired. With all those jobs, her favorite job was being a stay-at-home mom and raising her kids. Jeanne is survived by her husband Marty Joe Blakey of Arcadia, her daughter Shannon Marie McDermott and husband Chuck of Toulon, Illinois, son Jeremy Hanlin and wife Angela of Thorpe, Wisconsin, son Brad Blakey and future daughter-in-law Lola Mckee of Lilbourn, Missouri, son Lance Hanlin and wife Hallie of Hilton Head, South Carolina, son Scott Blakey and wife Ashley of Fruitland, Missouri, daughter Katy Blaty and husband Ruston of Arcadia, Missouri, granddaughter Samantha Myrick and husband Brandon, Sydney VanDaele and husband Cole, Gretchin Hanlin, Sarah Hanlin, Paisley Blakey, Lily Hanlin, Nora Blaty, Ansley Blaty and Gwendolyn Blaty, grandsons Brock Blakey and fiancé Drea, Garrett Hanlin and wife Cana, Ty Blakey, Jacob Wolfe, Riley Wolfe, Jack Blakey, Jackson McDermott, Brandt Blaty, and Teddy Hanlin, great-grandaughters Mila Blakey, Brooklyn Blakey and Josie VanDaele, and great grandson Samuel Hanlin, brother-in-laws David Thurwanger, Danny Blakey and wife Sandy, sister-in-law Sharon, nieces Lisa Luker, Rhonda Blakey, nephews Greg Blakey, Mark Thurwanger and Nick Custer. She is preceded in death by her older sister Nancy Tessman, who died at birth and her middle sister Donna Thurwanger of Sycamore, Illinois, her parents Ed and Harriett Tessman and her Grandpa and Grandma Tessman, Grandpa Czech, Grandpa and Grandma Thomas, a niece Heidi Lynn Blakey, a daughter-in-law Leighann Blakey and a granddaughter Eve Hanlin. Jeanne enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved the holidays when all her kids would come home for the weekend. During such weekends, you would find the Blakey family playing BINGO, eating, enjoying a bonfire, playing games together, visiting, napping and of course preforming the famous family talent show on Thanksgivings. Jeanne had a servant’s heart. She devoted her life to children’s outreach ministries such as Sunday school, Fall Family Fun Day, Trunk or Treat, Easter Egg Hunts, Tiger Pride, Vacation Bible School, youth groups, and her favorite – FROGS club! Her smile, laughter, warm presence and love for Jesus impacted many children as well as adults. Some of her most special memories were made spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved watching her family grow and was always proud to share the fact that she had 19 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Feeding them candy, ice cream, and sodas was her specialty, and she never said the word “no” to them. She was their biggest cheerleader as her walls in the tiny house were covered with pictures of their accomplishments, special days, and drawings they had made for her. She also enjoyed going back to her hometown on Labor Day weekend and celebrating a festival known as Hog Days in Kewanee, Illinois, Hog Capital of the World. Some of the highlights of Hog Days included eating their famous pork patties, watching the parade, visiting with her childhood friends and going to the carnival. Jeanne didn’t travel much except for Mayberry on Andy Griffith, Mayfield on Leave It To Beaver, Dodge City on Gunsmoke and lots of trips on the Wagon Train, but the trips the family was able to take together were her favorite memories to talk about. The family was able to travel to Gulf Shores, Tybee Island, and Orange Beach to enjoy the sun, sand, and her ocean in a bucket. This past summer they enjoyed some fresh mountain air in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. On that trip, Jeanne enjoyed collecting stuffed animals from each destination, her view from the highest point in the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood, and just being with family. Jeanne was the heart of her family and will be missed dearly, but they find comfort in knowing that she has a new body. They hope she is running and doing cartwheels and is enjoying seeing all her loved ones who have gone before her. Funeral services for Jeanne will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 12:00 noon at Arcadia Valley Global Methodist Church with Pastor Meghan Riegerix officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at Arcadia Valley Memorial Park in Ironton, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you make a donation to the FROGS Club/Tiger Pride Ministry. This is an outreach ministry at the Global Methodist Church which held a special place in Jeanne’s heart.