Dale Ernest Blunt

Dale Ernest " Ernie" Blunt, age 78, of Knoxville, Illinois; passed away at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, on July 10, 2010 at 4:03 am. He was born December 3, 1931 in Greenbush, Illinois and is the son of Elton R and Eva Vandaveer Blunt. Ernie was raised in the Greenbush area and attended local schools and graduated from Avon High School in 1952. He enlisted in the Army and served in the Korean War. He married Ellajean M. Smith on June 7, 1980 in Galesburg, Illinois. He was previously married to Beverly J. Perry and previously to Barbara Bird. He began farming the International Harvester farm near Greenbush which he did for a time. He then farmed with Jim Johnson in Kirkwood, Illinois for twenty-seven years retiring in 1999. Ernie enjoyed hunting, and spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. He also enjoyed tending to his chickens and rabbits and doing puzzles. Surviving him is his wife Ellajean "Elli" Blunt of Knoxville, Illinois. Two daughters Ciji Blunt of Knoxville, Illinois and Denae Swanson (Jeremiah) of Galesburg, Illinois. There are two step daughters Cheryl Wright in the Quad Cities and Mary Hepner (Daryl) in Galesburg, Illinois. There are two grandchildren Xavier and Adrianna. Three sisters survive Elvira Stull of Roseville, IL; Myra Taft of Avon, IL; and Irene Stull of Abingdon, IL. A number of other relatives also survive. He is preceded in death by his Parents, one brother, and one grandson Kaiden. Services:A funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday at the Immanual Baptist Church of Monmouth. Interment with military honors will be in the Greenbush Cemetery. His family will be at Turnbull Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00pm to receive friends. A memorial fund will be established by his family at a later date.