Hugo B. Block

Hugo Bruno Block was born June 19, 1931 at home in rural Neponset Township to Bruno Block and Margaret (Arlt) Block, joining two sisters. He attended Neponset schools, graduating from Neponset High School in 1949. He married Mary Ann Christiansen on January 29, 1954.

Mr. Block farmed in Neponset Township for many years. In 1987 the Blocks moved to Stephenville, Texas where Mr. Block was employed on the grounds crew at Tarleton State University. He retired in 2003, after which the Blocks returned to Neponset.

Mr. Block served several terms on the Neponset Library Board and served as Neponset Township Supervisor. He served many years on the Bureau County Board, serving as president of that body in 1985-86.

Mr. Block was an active life-long member of the Church of Peace, rural Kewanee, where he taught Sunday School for many years. He was active in the Gideons and was a long-time member of Bureau County Farm Bureau. Mr. Block was an active, long-time member of Kewanee Oddfellows Lodge #128, IOOF, as well as a member of Cambridge Lodge #49, A.F. & A.M.

Mr. Block enjoyed reading, gardening, birding, and spending time with his family.

Mr. Block was preceded in death by his parents, his uncle, Albert Block, a sister, Gertrude “Trudy” Johnson, and a nephew, Robert Carter.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Block; his daughter, Sonia (Don) Davis of Gridley, Illinois; his son, Clinton (Melanie) Block of Neponset; a sister, Ruth Deahl of San Antonio, Texas; five grandchildren: Kory Moyer of Monticello, Illinois; Kami Butcher of Fairfield, Illinois; Kole Carter of Chicago; August Block of Neponset; Freya Watson of Pekin, Illinois; four great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 2 at Church of Peace in rural Kewanee with Pastor Andrew Christman officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church. An additional visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, June 1 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with an Oddfellows service at 1:45 p.m. and Masonic Rites at 3:30 p.m. The burial will be in the Garden of Peace Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Church of Peace or to the Neponset Library.

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