Dorothy (Rushing) Bleyer

Dorothy Rushing Bleyer, 99, of Carterville, passed away Monday, July 22, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Dorothy was born February 12, 1925, in Carterville, Illinois, to Hubert and Bessie L. (Latta) Rushing. She married William “Bill” Charles Bleyer on March 22, 1946, in Carterville. They enjoyed a wonderful life of 70 years together before his passing on December 26, 2016. They raised a family, pursuing complementary careers and actively participating in church, community and social affairs.

Dorothy was educated in the Carterville public schools and at Southern Illinois University earning degrees in secondary education and higher education. She realized her childhood dream of becoming a teacher by teaching mathematics and English in area high schools and then at the Vocational Technical Institute and Southern Illinois University for a total of thirty-five years. She thought teaching to be the “noblest of all professions”.

Dorothy was a lifelong member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and other professional and caring organizations. Her favorite pastimes were family gatherings, traveling, reading, spectator sports, and times spent with a host of dear friends.

She is survived by her sons, Mark (Kay) Bleyer, Brad (Valeri) Bleyer, and Tim (Sheryl) Bleyer; grandchildren, Andrew (Kim), Gregory (Sarah), Dan (Christina), Rebecca, Benjamin, Sarah (Mitch), Jacob, Luke, and Elizabeth; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Abbot, Mary, William, Jane, Hobart, and Dominic; daughter-in-law, Lorie Bleyer; brother-in-law, Jim Bleyer; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, John Eric Bleyer.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Carterville. Burial will be in Willowrest Cemetery in Carterville. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, at the church.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the William and Dorothy Bleyer Scholarship at the SIUC Foundation or to Grand Avenue Baptist Church.

Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville is in charge of arrangements. 

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