Alton Blakely

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Alton G. "Al" Blakely, age 77, of Pinckneyville, IL passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. in Pinckneyville Community Hospital.

Al was born on May 30, 1931 in Traverse City, MI, a son to Frank Lewis and Olive Blanche (Dawson) Blakely. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force obtaining the rank of Airman 1st Class during the Korean War. In 1966, he married Dorothy Gilmore in Golden, CO. He worked as an oiler and a pumper at Burning Star #2 for 25 years. He was a member of St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, IL, U.M.W.A., and the DuQuoin Saddle Club, and loved horses, hunting, and fishing.

Survivors include his wife: Dorothy Blakely of Pinckneyville, IL, two sons: Leigh (Darlene) Blakely of Pepperell, MA, and Mark (Connie) Stutes of Pinckneyville, IL, four daughters: Laura Blakely of Norwalk, CT, Karen Ash of Denver, CO, Dianna (Wayne) Chamness of Vergennes, IL, and Christina (Gene) Fisher of Pinckneyville, IL, two sisters: Marjorie Disbrow of Central Lake, MI, and Luella Howell of Traverse City, MI, fourteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers: Homer Blakely and Thiel Blakely.

Funeral services will be held at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Friday, October 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Brian Barker officiating. Interment will be in Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL.

Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Pinckneyville Community Hospital Department of Oncology or St. Bruno Catholic Church.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.