Belvidere, IL

Darwin K. Blake, 81, of Belvidere, IL died peacefully, Sunday afternoon, May 4, 2014 in Medina Nursing Home, Durand, IL after a brief illness.  Darwin was born May 25, 1932 in Belvidere, IL the son of Gilbert and Estelle (Blanche) Blake.  He married Donna Fleming on August 6, 1955 in Marengo, IL.  Prior to his retirement, Darwin worked for I.B.M. and Hewlett-Packard Companies.  Darwin served our country in the US Army from 1952 -1954 being stationed in Germany.  He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Belvidere as well as being a member of both the John Hugo Kaiser VFW Post 1461 and American Legion Boone Post 77.  Darwin volunteered his time with the Keenage Center, Belvidere Chamber of Commerce and the Boone County Conservation District.

Darwin is loved and will be missed by his wife, Donna of Belvidere; sons, Raymond Blake of San Diego, CA and Timothy (Bonnie) Blake of Janesville, WI; god-children, Anna and Kate Gheen of Idaho Falls, ID; sisters, Doris Peterson of Rockford, IL and Darlene Johns of Belvidere, IL; brother, David (Muriel) Blake of Roscoe, IL; special sister in-law, Donna Fleming of Beloit, WI; several nieces and nephews.  Darwin is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Derwood, Donald, Dale and Darrell Blake.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2014 in First Presbyterian Church, 221 N. Main Street, Belvidere, IL with Rev. Dr. Robert Kopp, pastor officiating.  Private burial will take place in Belvidere Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to First Presbyterian Church in Darwin's name would be appreciated.  Arrangements by Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services at Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Chapel, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, IL. To light a candle or to share a memory please visit www.andersonfcs.com