Michael Gene Blunt, 66, of rural Sorento, died on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at his residence.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Sorento, located at the corner of West Taylor and South State streets. An additional visitation will be held Wednesday, July 14, from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Funeral services will follow, beginning at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Ralph Ward officiating. Burial will be held at New Douglas Cemetery. Lesicko Funeral Home in Livingston is assisting the family.
Mr. Blunt was born June 3, 1955, in Highland, to Bobby G. and Naomi L. (Watson) Blunt. He married Vickie LeAnn Cruthis on July 6, 1974, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sorento, and she survives.
He was a union carpenter by trade and a 48-year member of Carpenter’s Union Local 664 in Alton. He started his profession as a carpenter with Cruthis Builders, then B&S Construction, followed by his partnership with his brother, Elvin, in Blunt Construction. He also worked on many construction projects for Shell Oil Refinery.
Mr. Blunt was member of the New Douglas Volunteer Fire Department for 43 years, where he served as a president and captain; Madison County Firemen’s Association and the 3M Firefighter’s Association. In addition, he was a former trustee for the village of New Douglas, and was a part of the New Douglas Community Club.
He played kittenball and softball for the New Douglas Community Club Team, as well as other local teams. He passed on his skills in sports with his grandchildren or any young person who was willing to learn. He loved to golf, fish and hunt.
Not only was Mr. Blunt an accomplished finish carpenter, but he loved to build things, mostly for family members for weddings, family functions and as gifts. He was completely committed to the community. All associations mentioned above benefited from his generosity and skills, especially his membership as an elder with the First Presbyterian Church in Sorento.
In addition to his wife of 47 years, he is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer (husband Tim) Ruschhaupt and Julie (husband Andrew) Wadlow; grandchildren, Lucas and Noah Wadlow and McKenzie and Lane Ruschhaupt; sister, Patricia (husband Frank) Rausch of Edwardsville; sisters-in-law, Alice Blunt of New Douglas and Terri (husband Ted) Kesner of Sorento; aunt, Betty Peterson of Livingston; his wife’s cousin, Brenda (husband Terry) Mertes of New Douglas; nieces and nephews, Katie (husband Doug) Rausch-Crossen, Kathy (husband Justin) Tabet, Matthew (husband Mark Holdridge) Pople, Jessica (husband Jerry) Menees, Mark (wife Dani) Massey, Shari (husband Tim) Adair and Ruth (husband Roger) Reincke; along with many cousins.
Mr. Blunt was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Willard “Boots” and Dolores (Hastings) Cruthis; and brother, Elvin Blunt.
Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Sorento, New Douglas Fire Department or New Douglas Cemetery.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.lesickofuneralhome.com.
