Flynn and Related Families

Obituary, published in the Quincy (IL) Herald-Whig, Sept. 2009: Robert P. Blazel, 67, of Berlin, Wis., died Saturday (Sept. 12, 2009) surrounded by his family at his home. He was born July 18, 1942, to Theodore and Katherine Flynn Blazel in Milwaukee, Wis. He was a graduate of Marquette High School in Milwaukee and earned his college degree at Quincy College, then earned his master's degree in social work at University Wisconsin-Milwaukee. On July 10, 1965, he married Mary Katherine Vollmer in Mattoon. He worked as a youth parole officer in Milwaukee for a year before moving to Quincy in 1967. While in Quincy, Robert worked at Quincy College for 38 years as an associate professor of social work and criminal justice until his retirement in 2005. Robert's passions included canoeing in Canada's Quetico Provincial Park and the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota, traveling to foreign countries, spending time with family, reading, teaching and eating ice cream. Over the years Robert and Mary Kay traveled extensively, visiting 37 countries. His most recent trip took him to the Middle East and to Petra, Jordan, which had been a childhood dream. Two of his favorite trips were to Poland and Russia, where he was able to spend time teaching English. He was a founding member and active participant for 20 years of the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service of Community Counseling Center. He was involved with the Home Ownership Assistance of Quincy (HOAQ), a housing program that helped build homes for low-income people. Robert was active in the Quincy Museum for 25 years where he was a board member and served two terms as president. Robert was involved in numerous community service organizations throughout his life serving on the boards of Catholic Charities, Woodland Home, Volunteer Action Center and Retired Senior Center. He was also active in many other groups including the Boy Scouts of America and the United Way of Adams County where he served on the Personnel Committee and as vice president. He taught Elderhostel as well as POLIS for many years. He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church while he lived in Quincy and did premarital counseling for engaged couples. In 2007 he moved to Berlin to spend time with his children and grandchildren. There he became a member of the All Saints Catholic Church. Robert is survived by his wife, Mary Kay, of Berlin; his children, John (Carrie) Blazel of Berlin, Beth (Tim) Findlay of Jackson, Wis., Ted (Hanna) Blazel, of Madison, Wis., and Jane (Chris) Loos of Doylestown, Pa.; grandchildren, Maddie, Jillian, Emma, Emily, Ben and Will; a sister, Kathy (Bob) Stange of Milwaukee; a niece, Debbie (Greg) Blodgett; and a nephew, Scott Stange. Robert was preceded in death by his parents. SERVICES: A Mass for Robert will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, in the Quincy University Chapel in Quincy. VISITATION: The family will receive friends at the Quincy Museum, 1601 Maine, from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28. MEMORIALS: The Robert P. Blazel Scholarship fund at Quincy University, 1800 College Ave., Quincy, IL 62301; or the Quincy Museum, 1601 Maine St., Quincy, 62301. The scholarship is for students studying for community service professions