Blanche Reilly

Blanche Reilly

GLENALLEN, Mo. — Blanche Margarete Reilly, 91, of Glenallen died Oct. 10, 2008, at her home.

She was born Feb. 4, 1917, near Lutesville, Mo., daughter of Greene L. and Blanch Steele Myers. On Feb. 26, 1933, she married Joseph A. Reilly at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold, Mo. He predeceased her on June 18, 2001.

From 1948 to 1972 Mrs. Reilly was leave-replacement postmaster at the Glenallen post office. She was a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution; a charter member of the Bollinger County Historical Society, serving on the board of directors since 1976; and an associate editor of the bicentennial historical publication, "Bollinger County 1851-1976."

In January 1976 the Bollinger County Court appointed her to serve on the Sheltered Workshop board of directors. She received the 2002 Founders Award from VIP Industries for her many years of dedicated service to the handicapped in Bollinger County. In 1965, Mrs. Reilly was the first woman to serve on a Bollinger County Circuit Court jury.

She was a dedicated companion to her husband, assisting him in the family land-surveying business all their married life. She was a member of St. John Catholic Church at Leopold.

Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Jane (Jim) Purcell of Jefferson City, Mo.; a son, John William (Judy) Reilly of Marble Hill, Mo.; four grandchildren, Dr. Lawrence W. Purcell of Warrensburg, Mo., Dr. Erin R. Reilly of Montgomery, Ala., John Matthew Reilly and Colin Patrick Reilly of New Orleans; eight great-grandchildren: Nicholas Purcell, Mary Kathryn Purcell, Elise Mary Reilly, Colin Joseph Reilly, Patrick Michael Reilly, Daniel Peter Reilly, AumadMbrie Jane Reilly and Lauren Nicole Clayton; three stepgrandchildren; and 13 great-stepgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Joe, Byrd, Charles and Glenn Myers; and four sisters, Arbie Mouser, Ulean James, Irene Ross and Gertrude Walker.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill. Father John Harth will conduct parish prayers at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John Church in Leopold, with Father Bill Huggins officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.