Marilyn Reese Blaze

GALESBURG – Marilyn Reese Blaze, 91, formerly of Galesburg, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Lombard.

She was born on March 2, 1926, to Marian (Sadler) and Harry Cook Reese in St. Joseph. A 1944 graduate of St. Joseph High school, she attended the Fine Arts School of the University of Illinois.

On March 17, 1946, Marilyn married her high school sweetheart Francis L. Blaze upon his return from World War II.

The Blazes moved to Galesburg in 1954 and in 1960 they bought acreage outside Knoxville, Ill., where they established the Blaze Nursery, a landscaping and greenhouse nursery business servicing the local area. Marilyn operated a gift shop, The Tree House, along with the nursery and continued her painting that she had started when in Galesburg as a charter member of a small group of artists known as the "Studio."

She became well-known for her paintings on barn wood, much of it taken from their own barn, and depicting scenes of her early childhood. In 1964, she had a one-man show at Marshall Field's State Street store followed by shows at art galleries located in Detroit's Dayton Hudson and Lord and Taylor in New York City department stores.

When they closed the nursery, the Blazes established Barnstone Farm to continue Marilyn's artwork as well as provide a destination for locals to visit the gallery along with enjoying Frank's petting zoo.

Marilyn also taught art at Carl Sandburg Junior College in Galesburg.

In 1983, she was commissioned to paint the Stations of the Cross for St. Aloysius Church in Wataga, Ill.

Marilyn and Frank were part of the "Barn Pals," a group of local artists, at Walnut Grove Farm and would exhibit Marilyn's artwork there during the Spoon River Scenic Drive and during the Christmas season.

In 2012, she published her book "Eda's Comfort," a story she wrote and illustrated about her great-grandmother.

Marilyn was the cherished wife of Francis "Frank" Blaze and sister to her younger brother, Alan Cook Reese, both who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Cary) Brown, and son, Jonathan (Lisa) Blaze; five grandchildren, Elizabeth and James Brown, Rachel (Matthew) Stoughton, Alexandra and McKenzie Blaze; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Elliette and Jack Stoughton.

Also surviving are a sister, Rosemary Simonson, many nieces and nephews and cousins.

She moved from Galesburg in 2015, relocating to the Chicago area to be closer to her children and her sister and other family members.

Cremation has been accorded. Burial will be at the Abraham Lincoln National Veterans Cemetery, Elwood, on April 17 alongside Frank, a World War II and Korean War veteran. A Celebration of Life will be held at Walnut Grove Farm, later this spring.

Memorials can be made to Advocate Hospice at Advocate Charitable Foundation, 3075 Highland Pkwy F 16, Downers Grove, IL 60515, or Historic Walnut Grove Farm, 1455 Knox Station Road, Knoxville, IL 61448.

Arrangements have been provided by Brown Funeral Home, Manteno.