Norman Blakley

BLAKLEY, Mr. Norman F.
"Mike"
Kalamazoo, MI Died Friday, January 7, 2011 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was born July 7, 1920 in Rochester, IL, the son of Fredrick and Emma Neuman Blakley. Mike was a veteran of the United States Marie Corps serving during World War II. On January 9, 1946, he was united in marriage to Edith Franklin in Washington, D.C. He was employed by Mapco Gas for 35 years until his retirement. Mike was a member of Joseph E. Westnedge Post #36 of the American Legion and Portage Lodge # 88 of Loyal Order of Moose. He was also past president of the Michigan Propane Gas Association. After retirement, Mike was a master gardener and worked for the big vegetable garden for Loaves and Fishes. He was a member of Kalamazoo In Bloom and was known as the "Bird Man" who assisted in assembling and planting the Kalamazoo Peacock. Preceding him in death were his wife of 64 years, Edith Blakley; his parents; 1 brother, Robert Blakley; and 2 sisters, Margaret Trees and Ruth "Betty" Brown. Surviving are 2 children, Jamie Blakley of Kalamazoo and William Yoshiko Blakley of Ft. Worth, TX; 2 grandsons, Michael and Charles; 2 brothers, Nelson Blakley of Springfield, IL and Kenneth Blakley of Kalamazoo; 1 sister, Marian Banks of Springfield, IL and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 PM on Thursday in Ft. Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Rd. M-96, Augusta, with full military honors those attending please meet at the cemetery cortège assembly area by front entrance. Friends may visit with the family from 4-7 PM on Wednesday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.