Robert E. ("Blaze") Blazekovich

Robert E. “Blaze” Blazekovich, 79, of Marion, formerly of Minooka and Crest Hill, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at York Place Assisted Living Facility in Marion, Indiana.

Robert is survived by his loving wife, Elaine K. (nee Padovich); whom he married on August 11, 1956; his son, Dr. Robert M. (Diana) Blazekovich, DDS, Marion, IN; grandchildren, Steven R. (Liz) Blazekovich, Indianapolis, IN and Rachel A. Blazekovich, LDH, Carmel, IN; sisters-in-law, Trudy Kaiser and Gloria Blazekovich; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Robert was born in his Crest Hill, Illinois home on December 18, 1937 to the late Matthew and Christine (Rehorich) Blazekovich. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his infant twin sons, Matthew and Fredrick Blazekovich; his brothers, Joseph, Michael, Anthony and John Blazekovich; and his sisters, Rose Klen and Helen Chester.

Robert was a 1955 graduate of Lockport Township High School. He worked as a Central Office Technician for Illinois Bell / Ameritech in Plainfield, IL retiring in 1994 after 38 years of service. Following his retirement, Robert worked at J&M Printing in Crest Hill, IL. He was a member of IBEW Local #336, Club 66 and the Croatian Culture Club. He played gold and silver league fast pitch softball for several years, and enjoyed golfing, especially at Inwood Golf Course in Joliet where he scored his first and only hole-in-one. Robert was also an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Poor Clare’s Annunciation Monastery, 6200 Minooka Rd., Minooka, IL 60447.

A Celebration of Robert’s life will begin on Saturday, January 14, 2017 with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anne Catholic Church, 1800 Dearborn Street, Crest Hill, IL at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Mary Nativity Catholic Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to meet at the Church.

There will be no services at the funeral home.