STILLMAN VALLEY — G. Joe Blume, age 71, died suddenly Saturday, July 14, 2012 while vacationing near St. Germain, Wisconsin. He was born Oct. 17, 1940 in Mitchell, SD the son of Richard and Mardeyl (Groen) Blume.
He attended Kirkland schools graduating in 1958. He than graduated from NIU in 1962 and obtained his Master’s Degree in 1968. He married Jodie Dziekonski on June 15, 1963 in Chicago, IL.
Joe taught driver’s education, physical education, and coached football at Jefferson High School for approx. 30 years. He was head football coach from 1975-1993. He than became head football coach for Stillman Valley High School from 1995-97. In 1998 Joe became the Defensive Coordinator where he has served the past 14 years at Stillman Valley. Joe was inducted into the Illinois High School Association’s Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998.
He was an active member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Byron, the Knights of Columbus, and served four years as the President of the Parish Council.
He was predeceased by his father Richard Blume, and two brothers Donald and Jim Blume.
Survived by his wife Jodie, son Joseph Richard Blume, daughter Jessica Hartman, and two grandsons Nicholas and Ethan Hartman all of Stillman Valley, and his mother Mardeyl Blume of Rockford.
A Memorial Mass was held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Byron with the Rev. Howard Barch officiating. There was no visitation. A Community Memorial service was held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday evening, July 24 at the Stillman Valley High School Football field in memory of Joe. Burial was in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is established in Joe’s name at the Stillman BancCorp NA, P.O. Box 150 Stillman Valley, Illinois 61084. Visit www.farrellhollandgale.com.
