John M. Blachinsky

John M. Blachinsky, 77, of Kewanee, passed peacefully on Saturday, March 22, 2025, surrounded by his family.  He was born August 12, 1947, in Kewanee to Charles “Chick” Blachinsky and Elizabeth “Bette” O’Connor.  He attended Visitation School and Kewanee High School, followed by Bemidji State University where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth Parks.  He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served at NAS Miramar in San Diego with his family until 1973. He entered The John Marshall Law School and graduated in 1976. He then returned home to Kewanee to join his father in the family practice, Blachinsky Law Office, until 2015 when he “semi-retired” in joining the Barash & Everett law firm.
 Kewanee was very important to him and serving his community was his passion.  He served as the City Attorney for Kewanee and several local municipalities and as attorney for the Kewanee Park District, Henry County Housing Authority, and Kewanee Municipal Airport throughout his career.  He was an active member in Kiwanis, serving as its President and supporting Key Club.  His greatest support was for Kewanee High School, particularly its athletics. He was the girls’ basketball summer coach for over 30 years and volunteered at track and cross country meets to run the timers. He was proud to be a Charter Member of the Kewanee High School Hall of Fame and was later inducted himself, once for the 1963 Kewanee Football team and again as a supporter of the school.  You could recognize him anywhere as he was always wearing his Boiler Orange. As he would say, “Every day is a Boiler Day.”
 He is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved great-aunt Kathryn “D.D.” Kirley.
 He is survived by his wife Elizabeth; his three daughters Kara (Marty) Yepsen, Jennifer (David) Angerame, and Tricia / PJ (Mark) Heinle; his grandchildren Natalie, Avery, and Lila Yepsen, Matthew and Sophia Angerame, and Sam, Nicholas, and Chris Heinle; his three sisters Mary Sue (John) Redebaugh, Jane Cote, and Kay (Tod) Lindbeck; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
 A Rosary Service will be at 4:00 pm, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Golnick-Schueneman Funeral Home. The family asks that you wear your Boiler Orange in honor of John’s love for his community. Visitation will be from 4:30 – 7:30 pm, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Saint John Paul II Parish. Father Ghislain Inai will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Military Rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be made to the Kewanee High School Athletic Hall of Fame or the Visitation School Foundation. Please leave an online condolence for John’s family at www.golnickschuenemanfh.com. 

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