Leon Blake, age 86, of Edina, MO, passed away Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Columbia, MO.  He was born September 1, 1936, in Knox City, MO, the son of Justin Edward and Wilma Constance Stice Blake.  He was united in marriage to Harriet Mae Whitmire on September 9, 1956, in LaBelle, MO and she preceded him in death on December 6, 2020.  Leon was also preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Leon Clifford Blake and Nicholas Wayne Blake, three brothers, Donald Edward Blake, Billy Dean Blake and Charles Eldon Blake, one sister Wilma Laree Burkhart and one great granddaughter, Grace Olivia Kay Forbis.

Surviving are two children, Martin Eric (Andrea) Blake of Edina, MO and Shari Annette (Marty) Cline of Titusville, FL, one daughter-in-law Vicky Blake of Moscow Mills, MO, one brother Robert (Pat) Blake of Quincy, IL, two sisters Nadine Parrott of Wichita, KS, and Peggy Motter of Kirksville, MO, nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Leon attended schools in Knox City and also attended meat cutters school.  Leon served his country in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1957.   Leon was a member of the Missouri American Legion Post #1000 and was a great supporter of the local post.  He worked as a butcher for Schnuck's Foods and as also owned and operated his own meat processing shop in the St. Louis area until retiring.  After retiring he moved to Edina where he owned and operated Blakes Grocery Store and Blakes Furniture Store.  Leon was a member of the Edina Baptist Church; he was chairman of the food cupboard and treasurer of the food pantry. He enjoyed attending weekly auctions in Quincy, IL, his morning coffee with his sister Peggy and also enjoyed spending time with his cats.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 21, 2023, in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.  Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. and services will begin at 10 a.m.

Burial with full military honors will be in the Knox City Cemetery.  Officiating the services will be Pastor John Bode.

Casket bearers will be John Forbis, Scott Krunze, Randy Blake, Jamey Blake, Shaun Blake and Matt Neagle.  Honorary bearers will be Daryll Wellington and Jerry Reeves.

Memorials are suggested to the Knox County Food Pantry and or the Knox County Food Cupboard.   Memorials may be left at or mailed to the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, Mo 63537.