Karen L. Blackman

Karen L. Blackman, 82, of Coal Valley, Illinois, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

Visitation to celebrate Karen’s life is 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, November 4, at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, followed by a graveside service at Coal Valley Cemetery at 11:45 a.m. Memorials may be made to QC Paws.

The former Karen Louise Knowles was born April 21, 1942, in Geneseo, Illinois, the daughter of Everett Kenneth and Verneil Louise (Hamann) Knowles. She married Dale A. Blackman on November 9, 1963, in Geneseo. He died August 26, 2006. 

She enjoyed crocheting, camping and cooking in her younger years. More recently, she enjoyed watching Westerns on television, eating out, playing cards with a competitive streak to her. Above all else, family was the most important thing to Karen, especially her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Karen is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Drew and Linda Blackman of Coal Valley; a daughter and son-in-law, Jenifer “J.J.” and Steve Anderson of Coal Valley; six grandchildren, Spencer (Claudia) Blackman, Syd Blackman, Sawyer (Judy Borah) Blackman, Tony Oliver, Morgan (Colton Franck) Anderson, and Max Anderson; two sisters, Marvel (Ron) VanVooren of Geneseo, and Florien (Darrell) Matzen of Orion; six great-grandchildren, Autumn Blackman, Caiden Propst, and Silas, Rylan, Levi and Lacey Blackman; a brother-in-law, Ron Matzen of Orion; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; daughter, Kelly Jo Oliver; granddaughter, Abby Jade Oliver; and sisters, Dian (Larry) Duncan and June Matzen.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.