NEELEY, WARREN B.

GALESBURG – W. Blake Neeley, 91, of Galesburg, Ill., died at 2 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, at Seminary Manor.

He was born Jan. 8, 1921, in Mount Carmel, Ill., the son of Waldren and Gertrude Voigt Neeley. He first married Mary B. Schneider in 1947 in Mount Carmel, Ill. She preceded him in death in 1961. He later married Bernice A. Calderone Davison on Dec. 8, 1962, in Galesburg, Ill. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, Mickey W. (Karen) Davison of Knoxville, Tenn.; three daughters, Janet S. (John) Woods of Trinidad, Colo., Shelley R. (Gary) Keil of Omaha, Neb., and Karen A. (Dennis) Mills of East Peoria, Ill.; his brother, Robert (Joann) Neeley of Katy, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He served in the U.S. Marines as a sergeant for four years during World War II, stationed in the Pacific Theater, and he was involved in the invasion of Guadalcanal. Blake received the Purple Heart and is listed in the Marine Raiders Hall of Fame.

Blake was the owner and operator of Midland Electric Motor Works for 40 years, retiring in 1985.

He graduated from high school in Mount Carmel in 1939. He had lived in Galesburg and Naples, Fla.

He was a member of Soangetaha Country Club and Fox Fire Country Club in Naples, Fla.

Blake enjoyed playing golf his entire life.

He was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, in St. Joseph Cemetery, with military rites by Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post No. 285. Deacon James Haneghan will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Cremation will be accorded.

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Galesburg, the Orpheum Theatre Capital Improvement Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice.