Blanche Marie Pickles, 95, of Coal City, IL. passed away on Friday, June 23, 2017 in Leesburg, Florida.

Blanche was born August 18, 1921 in Jonesboro, IL. to James E. and Eunice M. (nee Inman) Brown. She married Francis Pickles in 1940 in Cape Girardeau, MO. Together they farmed in Anna, IL. and then moved north to Wilmington, IL. She worked at Johnson and Johnson for several years. She was a member of the Coal City United Methodist Church. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed quilting. She enjoyed the fact that she had 5 generations of family together and loved time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children: Alice (Walter deceased) Zingre of The Villages, FL., Sharon (James) Craterfield of Coal City, IL. and Richard (Rosemary) Pickles of St. Germain, WI., 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 20 great- great grandchildren and two on the way. She is also survived by her siblings: James (Marian deceased) Brown of Anna, IL., Bonita ( Henry deceased) Schaefer of Florissant, MO., Afton (Don deceased) Menees of Anna, IL., and Ron (Mary) Brown of Nashville, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 66 years, Francis, in 2006; and a grandson Mark Parker.

Memorial contributions in Blanche's name may be directed to The Coal City United Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2017 at the Ferrari Funeral Chapel (corner of Spring Road and Ferrari Drive) with Ken Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Braceville Gardner Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ferrari Funeral Services in Coal City.

Pallbearers will be: Michael Pickles, Jared Wren, Kevin Gabehart, Brian Martis, Brock Martis and Kenny Huston.

Family and Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.ferrarifuneral.com