Earla M Blessman

Earla M. Blessman, 83, of Bath, passed away at St. John's Hospital in Springfield on Friday, March 6, 2026. She was born on June 13, 1942, in Saidora, to Richard and Leiura (Lippert) Friend. She married Larry Blessman on July 21, 2007, in Ashland, Illinois; he preceded her in death in 2016.

Mrs. Blessman is survived by her sister Arveda (Howard) Friend-Pence of Lincoln, her brother Duane (Gail) Friend of Jacksonville, her sister-in-law Bonnie Friend of San Jose, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Donna Thompson, and her brother David Friend.

A woman of Methodist faith, Earla worked at J. Capps & Sons Clothing in Jacksonville, AgRain, Dana-Victor, and the Illinois Glove Factory in Beardstown. She was a talented artist who loved to paint outdoor scenes on saw blades and create customized Christmas cards. She found great joy in being outdoors, especially mowing in the summertime, and throughout her life she took in and cared for countless cats.