Jean Jilek Blau

SUN CITY - Jean Jilek Blau fell asleep in the arms of Jesus in Sept. 27, 2016. Jean was born in 1940 in Pennsylvania, the second daughter of Adeline and Melvin Grant. She was thankful to be raised in a loving Christian home. Survivors include her husband, Rev. Ronald Blau; one brother, Jay Grant; two sisters, Joan Castelhano and June (Jack) Castelhano; two sons, Paul (Nancy) Rhoads and Steve (Sandy) Rhoads; and two daughters, Sheri (Rev. Timothy) Blau and Denise (Rev. Tony) Fox; and eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. In her earlier years, she served the Lord as a housemother at a Christian children's home near Philadelphia, Pa. In 1976 Jean and Charles Jilek, her late husband of 40 years, moved from Honey Brook, Pa., to Lake Havasu City. They lived there until 1984 when they moved to Peoria, where Jean opened a Health Food Store and owned that business for 17 years before retiring. Then they moved to Sun City, where she resided for 18 years. After being a widow for six and a half years, she was introduced to Edna and Ron Blau and their family through their son, Tim. After Edna went home to be with the Lord and Jean got to know Ron better, he became her sponsor and later her husband. Jean became part of the wonderful family at the Fountain of Life Lutheran Church. Jean and Ron were married for four years before her great reunion in Heaven. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church, 15630 Del Web Blvd., in Sun City. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers all donations should be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 9435 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, AZ 8535, which was so helpful during Jean's sickness.