By Mandi Sakadaris
Posted: Updated:
17 Comments
  • Visitation

    Saturday, January 13, 2024

    1:00 to 2:45 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL

  • Service

    Saturday, January 13, 2024

    2:45 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL

  • Full Obituary

    Myralin M. “Myra” Blackman, 76, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Cedar Ridge Health Care Center in Lebanon, IL.

    She was born on April 23, 1947, in Harrisburg, IL, to Cletis and Vessie (nee Curtner) Blackman. On June 14, 1975, she married Phillip Paeltz in Belleville, IL.

    Myra has lived in southern Illinois all her life and graduated from Crab Orchard High School in 1965. She received her Master’s Degree in Consumers Economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1971, and her Master’s in Mathematics from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1987. After finishing college, Myra taught for 36 years at Belleville East High School, teaching consumers economics then finishing her career teaching mathematics.

    When she was younger, Myra wanted to be an engineer but was told that she couldn’t, as it was uncommon for women to be in that profession at the time. That didn’t stop her from utilizing her engineering skill set in her day-to-day life, though. Myra loved architecture and design; she would make clothing for her family, build furniture for the house, and decorate anything from inside her home to landscaping outside in the yard. She was also a gourmet cook, making many delicious meals for her family. If Myra put her mind to it, she could do anything.

    Myra enjoyed traveling with her husband, especially to New Orleans. She was a steel magnolia; feminine, yet tough as a tank, while also showing compassion, empathy, and patience towards others.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, Cletis and Vessie Blackman.

    Myra is survived by her husband of 48 years, Phillip E. Paeltz; siblings, Angelia (James) Blackman-Donovan, Mark Phillip (Teressa) Blackman, Elizabeth Blackman; nieces and nephews, Michael Donovan, Scott Isbell, David Donovan, Jonathan Donovan, Sarah Shelton Hirtzer, Joshua Shelton, Stephen Blackman, Mark Ryan Blackman, Christopher Blackman; many great nieces and great nephews.

    If anyone wishes to give or create a memorial for Myra Blackman, Myra and Phillip ask that you consider taking the money that you might donate and go out to dinner with it. They further ask that you think of Myra as you do so.

    Visitation: Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 1:00 to 2:45 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL

    Funeral Service: Saturday, January 13, 2024, 2:45 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL

    Interment: College Hill Cemetery

    Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

17 Condolences
 
  1. Michael Shively / January 9, 2024 at 10:01 am

    I was blessed to know her when I was younger as I attended GFA she was so kind and caring to all of us heaven gained a angel she is gone but will never be forgotten.

  2. Cheryl Druse / January 9, 2024 at 11:49 am

    Ms. Blackman was a favorite teacher of mine. I graduated 40+ years ago and STILL use recipes she gave us in Home Economics. My prayers go out to her family.

  3. Joyce (Evansco) Coulter / January 9, 2024 at 12:14 pm

    Myra was a wonderful teacher… She taught me how to sew my first shirt! I have fond memories of her at Belleville East. May she rest in Paradise…

  4. Teresa Floyd (Glockengieser) / January 9, 2024 at 3:18 pm

    I remember Mrs. Blackman’s home economics class. She taught me how to sew which later I was able to get a job altering wedding gowns and the tailoring service at military bases. I’ll never forget her. R.I.P.

  5. Kathy Sliment / January 9, 2024 at 3:55 pm

    I had the privilege of working with Ms Blackman for many years at Belleville East. She was always kind and professional. She was dedicated to her students and considerate to her colleagues. Prayers for her family that their memories be a balm to their grief.

  6. Terry Knoth / January 9, 2024 at 9:46 pm

    Myra was my home ec teacher. One of my favorite teachers. Loved her!
    Terry (BERLINSKI) Knoth

  7. Kathleen Witzke / January 9, 2024 at 10:56 pm

    Myra was my favorite teacher at BTHSE. Her passion for teaching and her encouragement were life changing. That indelible mark is still in my heart 50 years later, God Bless her and her family

  8. Alassane Mbaye / January 10, 2024 at 7:35 am

    INARILAHI WA INA ILAHIRAJUOUIN ( NOUS VENONS DE LUI ET NOUS RETOURNONS VERS LUI )
    To brother phillip Paeltz, The Donovans and to the whole family, please accept our condolences.. Wish you peace and comfort.
    Myra etait un synmbole d’humilite et de courtoisie. Que Dieu, LE Tout Puissant l’ccueille dans son royaume.
    Amiin Ya Rabbi

    Alassane Mbaye and family

  9. Robin Smith / January 10, 2024 at 8:53 am

    I thought I was “too cool” to take home economics, but now, 45 years later, I wish I had taken Ms. Blackman’s class. I had no idea she was a math whiz, too! I remember her as being Mr. Paeltz’s wife, the first woman in my world who did not take her husband’s name in place of her own. I also remember driving by their beautiful home in Lebanon on the way to my piano lessons and finally getting to see the inside of the house when I was in the cast of The King & I which Mr. Paeltz directed so ably. Somehow Ms. Blackman got our costumes flown in from New York and altered mine to make it perfect. Philip & Myra were the “it” couple at BTHS East in the late 1970’s — sophisticated and eccentric in the best way annd devoted to their students. I only wish I had known Myra better. Deepest condolences to Mr. Paeltz and their wide circle of family and friends.

  10. Debbie Thacker / January 10, 2024 at 10:00 am

    Phillip, please accept my sincere sympathy for Myra’s death.. May happy memories soon ease your sorrow.
    Debbie Thacker

  11. Mike & Mary Strang / January 10, 2024 at 12:31 pm

    We were fortunate to be Myra & Phil’s neighbors for 22 years. I always enjoyed talking to her over the fence while she was outside working in her gardens.

  12. Beth Hopkins / January 10, 2024 at 6:37 pm

    She was one of my favorite teacher and still use some of the things she taught me back in the 80s

  13. Michelle McMurray / January 11, 2024 at 11:38 am

    I am deeply saddened by the passing of one of my most favorite teachers. She imparted valuable lessons in sewing and played an instrumental role in planning my grand wedding, even if only on paper. I recently shared her lasting influence with a colleague, and her memory will forever be woven into the skills she helped cultivate in so many of us.
    RIP to a great leader.

  14. Jim Meers / January 11, 2024 at 2:49 pm

    I will miss Myra very much. My best wishes to you Phillip, and to everyone else left without Myra’s wit and warmth. I have way too many wonderful memories of my time at GFA to remember but a sliver of them, but the memories of Myra are special. Boy I sure wish I could drop in on another of her sewing workshops.

  15. Sheila O'Brien / January 11, 2024 at 4:44 pm

    Angie and entire Blackman/Paeltz family. Deepest sympathies on the passing of Myra. Always tough and emotionally difficult. Sending love and prayers to all.

  16. Nicole Cobb / January 11, 2024 at 11:00 pm

    Deepest condolences to Phil on your loss of Myra. You are in my thoughts at this difficult time.
    Nicole (Weyenberg)

  17. Cindy Shaw / January 16, 2024 at 5:07 pm

    My deepest sympathies Mr. Paeltz and family. I did not have the opportunity to have your wife as a teacher but I know she was an excellent and devoted teacher to her students, just like you. I have forever fond memories of BTHS East, band, and playing in your flute/piccolo section. May God continue to be close to you during this difficult time and in the days ahead. Praying for you and your family.
    Cindy Thuerkoff Shaw – Highland, IL

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