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TERRE HAUTE —
Francis Marion “Peanut” Blake, 90, of Terre Haute, passed away on Friday, April 6, 2012, at Meadows Manor East Nursing Home. He was born June 17, 1921, in Terre Haute, to Sylvia Anderson Blake and Walter James Blake Sr.
He was a graduate of Gershmeyer Tech High School and after high school joined the armed services, first the Air Force and later the Army, from which he retired in 1962.
While living in Maryland and working at the University of Maryland, he met Lillie (Holiday) Blake, whom he married on Feb. 11, 1976. She preceded him in death on April 1, 2004.
In 1978, Francis and his family returned to Terre Haute. He worked and retired from Indiana State University, where he worked as a cook and also worked for the Vigo County Head Start program.
He was a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Terre Haute. He was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 340 and the VFW.
Survivors include three daughters, Monika Spinks and husband Larry of Cuba, Rena Blake and Donna Blake both of Terre Haute; one son, Charles Holiday of Durham. N.C.; two granddaughters, Leslie Ray of Everett, Wash. and Kiara Blake of Terre Haute; and one great-grandson, Hayden of Everett; one sister, Mary Jeanette Cheatem of Terre Haute and one brother, Thomas Blake also of Terre Haute as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lillie and one brother, Walter James “Jimmy” Blake Jr.
Services are Saturday April 14, 2012, at Second Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. T. Michael Russell presiding. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2012, also at the church. Burial will be at Stewart Lawn Cemetery with military tribute. Russell Funeral Home assisted with the services.
