DEFIANCE, OH – Karen Irene Blake, age 73, of Defiance, died Friday, May 31, 2024. She was born on March 16, 1951, in Lima, OH, to the late Dorris Edward and Marcille (Cross) Rucker. Karen was a 1970 graduate of Fairview High School and on May 29, 1970, married her sweetheart and lifelong partner, Allen L. Blake Jr., in Defiance, at St. John United Church of Christ. She worked as a caregiver in the healthcare field most of her life. Karen loved her prayer group at church and was considered a social butterfly. Folks often said “she never knew a stranger”; and she seemed to know everyone in town.

Karen is survived by her husband of 54 years, Allen L. Blake Jr.; children, Tami (Kevin) Moore, William (Tamra) Blake, step-daughter, Cynthia (Richard) Taylor, and step-son, Richard (Rhonda) James; siblings, Jay (Sharon) Rucker, William (Ann) Rucker, Connie (Arlo) Fisher, Jerry Rucker, Paul Rucker; 13 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren, as well as a host of other family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her daughter, LaDonna Ann Blake; brothers, Donald Rucker and Daniel Cross; great great grandson, Antonio Smetzer, and niece, Marlo Fisher.

Visitation will be 2-5 PM on Monday, June 3, 2024, and 11 AM – 12 PM on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Bethel Church, 20000 County Road 424, Defiance, OH 43512. A funeral service will follow at 12 PM on Tuesday with Pastor Tim Hacker officiating. Burial will take place at Riverview Memory Gardens in Defiance. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the church in honor of Karen. Flowers may be delivered to the church on Monday between 12-2 PM. For additional information and to view Karen’s online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.


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