Jack Blakesmith

Jack Blakesmith, 87 of rural Marietta, passed away Monday Oct 12 at home. He was born at home in Canton IL on January 23, 1939, to John and Helen Blakesmith. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Yvonne, and his four sisters: Marilyn Norville, Evelyn Duryea, Lila Wilcoxen of Canton IL and Donna Farrell of Horseshoe Bend Arkansas and one grandson Jacob Green. He was a loving husband to Yvonne G. Blakesmith and a devoted father to four children: Debbie (Stan) Blakesmith Green, Jack Blakesmith Jr., John (Felicia) Blakesmith, and Don (Denise) Blakesmith and whom he thought of and loved as a fifth child, his nephew Michael Pensinger.

Jack is survived by his four children, Ten grandchildren, Julie (Pascal), Zachary (Mollie), Alexandria (Corey), Michael (Tori), Tyson, Taleia, Jacob I, Melissa, Jack III and Samantha and eighteen great grandchildren, Presley, Savanna, Iva, Sarah, Henry, Derrian, Maleah, Asher, Roen, Addison, Mason, Jacob II, Jake, James, Alyssa, Justin, Adrianna and Brandon and one great - great grandchild Anna Lise.

Jack was the youngest of five children born to John and Helen Blakesmith. He was a proud man and a loving husband and father who cared deeply for his family.

A proud member of the United Auto Workers (UAW), Jack worked as a tool-and-die maker and retired from International Harvester. He later started his own business in Macomb IL. He was also a private pilot, a Mason, and a proud Golden Gloves boxer in his thirties. He immensely enjoyed flying, took pride in his Masonic membership, and carried a fighter’s spirit from his youth into his later years.

Jack was a good friend to many and truly valued the friendships and family relationships that enriched his life. He was irreplaceable—a blessing to his family through his love, his care as a father, and his devotion as a husband. Jack enjoyed riding motorcycles the first half of his life, going to car shows with Yvonne in their classic cars, eating out, hunting and fishing, traveling to Vegas and the west coast. The farm was his passion as was being on the bulldozer and mowing on the tractor with his bushhog. He was doing both for hours within 5 hours of his passing. Those that knew Jack loved and respected him.

Jack and Yvonne shared a marriage of 67 years, and their love endured through the present day. Jack is now reunited with Yvonne and with the loved ones who preceded him in death.

A visitation will be held from 11 am – noon on Monday, October 19, 2026 at the Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. A Masonic service will follow at noon at the funeral home. A graveside service will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Canton.

Memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital.