Obituary of David L BLEY, Macoupin County Illinois 22 March 1998
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives ©1998 Michelle Bley


Tue Jun 24 17:45:00 1997
Name of Deceased: BLEY, David L.
Name of Newspaper: Staunton Star-Times
Date of Obituary: 1940 
Obituary: Doctor David L. BLEY, pioneer physician and surgeon of Staunton, died
Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at his home. He had been ill for serveral days,
advanced age having enfeebled him and he was unable to rally from his ailment.
He was 86 years, 3 months and 3 days of age. Dr. BLEY was born in Philadelphia,
Pa., on November 13, 1853, a son of the late Dr. and Mrs. George BLEY. The
family came to Staunton when the subject of this sketch was a boy of eight. The
elder Dr. BLEY opened a drug store in Staunton, in addition to practicing as a 
physician. The son prepared for the study of medicine in his father's drug store,
and after completing his school course in the public schools here, he enrolled in
the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, graduating from that institution
with a degree of Doctor of Medicine. For a short time Dr. Dave practiced his
profession in Mt. Olive and New Douglas, coming to Staunton in 1879. For some
60 years he continuously served the people in this vicinity, retiring from active 
practice only about a year ago. His record of service is one that can be equaled by
but very few in the entire county. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at
the Wegener Funeral Home, Rev. J. A. OESCH, pastor of the Presbyterian church
officiating. Interment was at the Staunton City cemetery. Staunton Lodge No. 177,
A M., of which he was a member, conducted the ritualistic ceremonial at  the grave.
Pall bearers were L. B. DILLINGHAM, Chas. MCGAUGHEY, J. R. RUSSELL,
A.  C. WEBSTER, H. E. HOPPER and B. G. FRIDLI. As a tribute to the unselfish
service to the community, Mayor Wm. B. MCBRIEN issued a proclamation asking
that all business houses be closed during the hours of the funeral. Dr. BLEY had never 
married, and he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Nellie WURTZ of Joliet; the following
nieces and nephews: Mrs. Edna DRIPPS GOFF, who resided with him and cared for
him during the past several years; Dr. Robert BLEY of Bunker Hill; George WURTZ
of Lexington, Ky., Mrs. Marian EDWARDS of Hollywood, Calif, and Misses Mary
and Martha WURTZ of Joliet. The life of Doctor Dave was an example of complete
dedication to the service of the people of this vicinity. For over sixty years he unselfishly
carried on the work of his chosen profession among the people whom he loved. In the
earlier days of his career, it was with hoFICKERT (REINHOLD), Lenarse and buggy,
and often on horseback, that he answered his calls to the bedsides of the ill and 
distressed-helped little souls into the world, treated their childhood ailments, delivered
their children and waited on them when death came to lay clammy hands on their brows.
This work he carried on for three-score years-helped three generations arrive, and many
times eased the last moments of those into whom he had spanked the breath of life.
In rain or shine, sleet or snow, day or night, he visited his patients-too often without
any recompense. But he cheerfully wiped the slate clear where adversity and misfortune
had frowned, and kept going on, relieving human aches and pains and taking for his
renumeration the smiles of gratitude his efforts brought. Doctor Dave was probably
the best beloved individual in this part of the state, as well he should have been. Dr.
David L. BLEY lived a long and extremely useful life. In worldly goods he was at the
end relatively poor. In blessings from the people he had helped, however, he was
fabulously wealthy. May he rest in exceeding peace! Among those from a distance
attending the funeral services were Mrs. Pearl BLEY and son Billy of Beardstown;
Dr. and Mrs. Robert BLEY of Bunker Hill; Mrs. O. R. UNGER of Kansas City,
Mo.; Mrs. Harriet CAMPBELL, Mr. and Mrs. Charles MILLER and Mrs. Sophia
FAULSTICH of St. Louis; Leslie GEORGE, Frank GODSON, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas 
WILLIAMSON and Mrs. B. T. CHAPMAN of Edwardsville; Mr. and Mrs. P. G.
SAWYER of Carlinville, as well as many other friends from other nearby towns
whose names we were unable to obtain.


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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Michelle Bley.
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