Mary Ann (Grypp) Blackert

Mary Ann (Grypp) Blackert, 90, of Geneseo, formerly of Cambidge, Il, passed on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at OSF – Richard Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, IL.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Cambridge, IL.  Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Cambridge.  Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday.  Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.vandemorefuneralhome.com.  Memorials may be directed to the family to St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Cambridge Ambulance, and Cambridge Fire Department.

Mary Ann was born April 13, 1934, in Geneseo, IL, the daughter of Walter and Margaret (Mariman) Grypp.  She married Ralph Blackert on November 21, 1953, at Sacred Heart Church in Annawan, IL.  Mary Ann was a homemaker and farmed alongside her husband for 70 years.  She enjoyed her family, her church, music, quilting, cooking, and running the combine.  She served as a Eucharistic minister and held many offices in St. John Vianney Catholic Church.  She volunteered as a Befriender at Trinity Hospital in Rock Island in her spare time.  One of her favorite projects was rolling the pie dough out for the church pie sale and she initiated sewing of baby quilts and gowns for OSF – St. Francis Medical Center Neonatal ICU in Peoria.  Mary Ann was honored as Woman of the Year for the Diocese of Peoria for her work in the church.  She was an accomplished cook and baker.  She owned a successful catering business, featuring her homemade mints and winning top award for her pies at the Henry County Fair.  Most of all Mary Ann loved her family.  Whether it was attending a farming, art, sports, music, school, or church event; or just to visit and support them with a big smile and warm hug.  She was always there for them.  Mary Ann was loved and will be missed by her earthly family.  She now will be greeted with open arms by her heavenly family.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Ralph Blackert of Geneseo; sons, Mark (Debra) Blackert of Cambridge and Steven (Linda) Blackert of Peoria; daughters, Mary Grant (Michael Prenevost) of Rock Island and Faith (Dean) Schmidt of Dunlap; brothers, David (Betty) Grypp of Milwaukee, WI and Lawrence (Linda) Grypp of Cincinnati, sister, Janet (Mike) Schneider of Ann Arbor, MI; OH; ten grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Margaret Grypp; sister, Joan Eilers, Judy Clementz, and Connie Altman.