Edmund Wayne Bliler Obituary (1955 - 2013)

Edmund Wayne Bliler, 58, of Illiopolis, IL passed away at 12:34 p.m (Nov 29, 2013) in his residence. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 11, 2014 at First Christian Church of Blue Mound. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until service time. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Blue Mound is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials can be made to donor's choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com Edmund was born on January 25, 1955 in Decatur, IL the son of Haldon and Marilyn (Spence) Bliler Kmetz. Ed graduated from Millikin University and was employed in sales, service and shipping at Borden Chemical, then as financial analyst at the Illinois Commerce Commission until his retirement in 2000. He was elected Mayor of Illiopolis from 1981 to 1985. He also served as Village Trustee, Riverside Cemetery Trustee, Township Supervisor and in the Illiopolis Volunteer Fire Department. While in high school, he began and continued as a performing musician playing piano for various events, with several bands, three years at the Decatur Elk's Club Lounge, and with the Illiopolis Kitchen Band. From 1990-2000 he performed with the traveling theater show "The Song and Soul of Sophie Tucker" throughout the state, St. Louis and Louisville, KY. Also, while in high school he served as an officer in local and state C.A.R. Societies and during the 1990's, served as President of Springfield Chapter and Illinois Society Sons of the American Revolution. Surviving are his sister: Susan (Gordon) Wurth of Mt. Vernon, IL; nephews: Andrew (Colleen) Zaruba of St. Louis, MO, Eric Wurth of Westfield, IN, and Matthew Zaruba of Dallas, TX; niece: Emily Wurth of Springfield, IL; special friends: Mike (Lisa) Carr of Decatur, IL, and Gary (Martha) Colstrom of Macon, IL; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathlyn.