Thomas G. Blanford

East Moline, Illinois

Thomas G. Blanford, 56, of East Moline, Illinois, died Monday, October 20, 2014, at Rush University Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

The family invites Jerry's friends to toast and celebrate his life at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 2014. Trimble Funeral Home, Moline, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established in his memory.

Jerry was born March 13, 1958, and was raised by Thomas Herman and Flavia Marie (Caskey) Blanford. He married Susan Baumhardt on May 5, 1990, in Coal Valley, Illinois.

He worked for the State of Illinois Department of Agriculture as a grain elevator inspector and helped run Tillie's Bar & Grill in Manlius, Illinois, with his wife.

Jerry is survived by his wife; two sons, Josh (Vicki) Blanford of Milan, Illinois, and Heith Blanford of Moline; ten grandchildren that lovingly called him "Papo"; his birth parents, Pat (Charlie) VanDeSample of Milan, and Richard Daty of Aurora, Illinois; siblings, Paul (Karen) Blanford, Ann (Marvin) Fritz, Cathy (Curt) Buchanan, Jim (Lee) Blanford, Kevin Blanford, Judy Fleischman, Jody Fleischman, and Shelly Fleischman; and many nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Kelly Jo Rodney. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kelly Fleischman.

Visit Jerry's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences, send flowers, and light a free candle in his memory.