By Melanie Tuttle
Posted: Updated:
5 Comments
  • Visitation

    Saturday, December 3, 2022

    10:00 am to 12:00 pm

    Grace Church, Fairview Heights, IL

  • Service

    Saturday, December 3, 2022

    12:00 pm

    Grace Church, Fairview Heights, IL

  • Full Obituary

    Blake R. Fowler, 23, of Belleville, IL, passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.

    Blake was born December 18, 1998, to Tim Fowler and Angela (nee Schmiz) Parnell, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL.

    He was a very active member of Grace Church in Fairview Heights and played bass for the praise team and youth group there. Outside of Church he played bass for Time and Pressure, of Gateway City Hardcore, traveling across the country performing shows.

    Blake was an avid video game player and loved to livestream his gameplay on Twitch. There he cultivated a gaming community which he grew to love.  In his free time, he enjoyed watching hockey and was a huge Pittsburgh Penguins fan, but eventually came to like the St. Louis Blues. Blake loved to get tattooed and had acquired a beautiful collection and aspired to get even more.

    Blake was one of a kind, he had never met a stranger, only made new friends. He was loving, sweet, and touched the hearts of many people across the world. He was an advocate for equality and believed that everyone had a purpose, everyone had value, and everyone should be respected. Above all else, Blake loved his family, he was a treasured son, grandson, brother, uncle, friend; and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

    He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Audrey Whitten, Harry Fowler, and John Schmiz; aunt, Debbie Blackburn; cousin, Ashley Farkosh.

    Blake is survived by his father, Tim (Deann Pappageorge) Fowler; mother, Angela (Bryon) Parnell; grandmother, Marilyn Schmiz; sister, Breanna (Jared) Shimer; nieces, Hayden Shimer, Madilyn Shimer; chosen brothers, Matthew Cook, Austin Thurman; aunts, uncles, cousins, and many loving friends.

    Flowers may be delivered to Grace Church, 5151 N Illinois St. Fairview Heights, IL 62208.

    Memorials may be made to the GoFundMe for Gateway City Hardcore Blake Fowler Foundation.
    https://gofund.me/f78431d9

    Memorial Visitation: Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, at Grace Church in Fairview Heights, IL.

    Memorial Service: Saturday, December 3, 2022, 12:00 pm, at Grace Church, Fairview Heights, IL.

    Clergy: Pastor Hal Santos

    Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

5 Condolences
 
  1. Sandra Cotton / December 1, 2022 at 8:32 pm

    My heart was broken when I heard that my (son) friend Blake had died. He was my son at work, Blake loved his grandma, mom, sister and his beautiful niece I remember when she was born and he was so excited. There was always a beam in his eyes when he talked about his niece, he loved her so much. I remember the last time we talked and he told me that he was moving out of town and I told him to keep in touch with me and he did, I am so sorry for your loss and I’m praying that God will give you the strength to make it through this difficult time. Be blessed 🥲

  2. Tyler Mazza / December 2, 2022 at 8:05 am

    Blake was the type of spirit to light up an entire room and make everybody feel like they mattered. No matter what was going on, he would always make sure to be there for his friends and family as he loved everyone.

    The memories cherished will never be forgotten

    Thank you for being a great friend through and through

  3. Ashley Wilson / December 2, 2022 at 10:58 am

    Blake was the sweetest soul that I’ve ever met. I remember when he went to the Halloween store with Bre and I. We took so many goofy, ridiculous pictures in the masks and had so much fun. He was an honorary uncle to Julian, whom loved him so much. We all did. We still do. There wasn’t a room Blake walked into that he failed to light up because that’s what Blake was, he was a shining light in people’s lives. He was one of those rare people who genuinely cared, exhibited empathy, and truly loved those around him. An old soul, to be sure. Gone too soon. We will always miss you, Blake. I’m so sorry.

  4. Kim Adams / December 2, 2022 at 11:28 am

    Our Deepest Sympathies to the whole family of the loss of a precious soul.
    Remembering the time before and when he was born and all the prays going out.
    And all the special times Rachel & Sara grew up with him in church & school.
    Prayers for peace & comfort.

    Love,
    Kim, Rachel & Sara Adams
    Pat & George Grey

  5. Tammy Stanley / December 2, 2022 at 3:02 pm

    My heart dropped when I got a call and I was told he was no longer with us. I met this young man shopping at Marshalls one day and he convinced me to apply for a job and he ended up being my supervisor and friend. I always called him my little troublemaker cause he was always playing and making me laugh at work. I last spoke with him on Thanksgiving and I never thought that would be the last time I would talk to him. I will truly miss him and never forget him.

Leave a Condolence or Memory: