Blanche Dalrymple

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Blanche M. Dalrymple put the sparkle into the world around her. She was a kindhearted, gracious, and loving woman whose approachable demeanor drew others near with ease. Blanche was never one to worry about building wealth or gaining the praise of others, rather, she made it her mission to live fully in each and every moment she was given. A woman of faith, she was never overbearing or boisterous in her beliefs, but it was in the choices she made each day that her life was truly inspiring to all who were within her reach. Blanche leaves behind a timeless legacy that will be proudly carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.

At the end of WWI in 1918, America was recognized as a world leader and poised for greatness. During the years that followed, the eyes of the world were focused on our shores for what was to come, and we did not disappoint. Innovation led the way to transformations within our daily lives, and our nation was never the same. Radios allowed us to stay connected with the world around us while the assembly line resulted in the mass production of cars, which therefore made them more affordable for the average American family. Not only did car travel allow us to see new places, but air travel was growing during this time as well thanks to the adventurous spirits of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. It was during this vibrant time that a young couple from Kankakee, Illinois, was filled with unspeakable joy to welcome a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on August 22, 1926.

Blanche M. was one of 15 children born to her parents, Christopher and Lena Skeen, and she was raised in the family home alongside her siblings. In many ways she experienced an upbringing that was typical for the young people of her generation, enjoying many of the things that young girls often do as the prosperous days of the Roaring Twenties gave way to the lean days of Great Depression throughout the 1930s.

New and exciting changes were in store for Blanche when she met the man with whom she would write a love story that would span several years. His name was John Jack Dalrymple, and sparks flew right from the start. Their love deepened over time, and with a desire to establish a life together Blanche and John were married. She loved being a wife, and she was also blessed to become a mother to six amazing children including Lynn Ray, Helen, Lynda, Kevin, Kelvin, and Mariena. Blanche was a devoted mother who deeply loved her children and would do whatever she could for them in ways both great and small. Later in life things only got better when grandchildren came along. Blanche loved being a grandmother, and her grandchildren were her greatest source of pride and joy.

Life was not always easy for Blanche, but she faced the trials that came her way with a quiet strength and a graceful courage that were such an inspiration. One such trial was saying goodbye to her beloved husband when he died in 1989. Although the days, weeks, and months that followed were understandably difficult for Blanche, she drew additional strength from her faith and the love of her family.

Even though caring for her family was always first and foremost in Blanche’s life, her journey was enriched in other ways as well. For many years she was a faithful member of the Kempton Church of the Nazarene. At home Blanche could often be found to be working on a jigsaw puzzle.

All who knew Blanche Dalrymple would agree that she was an extraordinary woman to know and love. The love she had for others was easy to see, and although she cherished her role as a mother she just may have argued that being a grandmother was her greatest blessing. Someone who was truly beautiful on the inside and out, Blanche will be deeply missed while her memory remains a lasting treasure in the hearts and lives of all who were blessed to feel her touch.

Blanche M Dalrymple, of Kankakee, died at the Gilman Healthcare Nursing Home on October 11, 2014. Blanche is survived by her family: Helen Pierce of Bourbonnais, Lynda Easter-Habash of Harbor City, CA, Kevin (Shirley) Easter of Bourbonnais, Kelvin (Pam) Easter of Bourbonnais, Mariena (Charles) Edwards of Kempton; seven grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. Blanche was preceded in death by her parents, son and daughter- in- law, Lynn Ray (Shirley) Easter, son- in-law, Ronald “Butch” Pierce and Nabil Habash; 14 brothers and sisters. A time for family and friends to gather will be held at the Bourbonnais Chapel of the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home, Wednesday, October 15, 2014, from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service. Burial will be at Mound Grove Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley or to family wishes. To upload a photo, leave a memory, or sign her online guestbook, please visit www.schrefflerfuneralhome.com.