Blakesley, Phyllis M.

Phyllis M. Blakesley, 89 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Sunday, March 17, 2013, at the Buchanan County Health Center Long Term Care unit. She was born on April 26, 1923, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Howard M. and Velma Lorraine (Hotle) Leacox. Following her graduation from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids with the Class of 1941, she finished the course of study at the Cedar Rapids Business College. On Nov. 6, 1943, she and Robert Dean Blakesley were married in Cedar Rapids. In the early 1950s they moved to Independence, Iowa. Mrs. Blakesley was a legal secretary for several years and also worked at Collins Radio. After moving to Independence, she was an active partner in Blakesley Cleaners until retiring in 1985.

Mrs. Blakesley was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Wapsipinicon Golf Club, both in Independence. She loved playing golf and Bridge and gardening. She was an accomplished seamstress and a great cook. Her greatest joy in life was her family and she took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who all adored her. She and her husband enjoyed wintering in Florida and traveling in this country and internationally.

Mrs. Blakesley is survived by her husband of 69 years, Bob; one daughter, Mary Beth (Dolph) Leytze of Independence; and one son, Bill (Patricia) Blakesley of Manchester.

She is also survived by seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one sister-in-law, Carol Leacox of Bettendorf.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister.

Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence with the Rev. John Hougen officiating. There will be a private burial in Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence. The family will greet friends after 1 p.m. Thursday at the church.

A memorial fund has been established for the First Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences may be left at .

White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements.

Published in The Gazette March 19, 2013.