MARION, Ill.-- Eugene Norris "Sonny" Blumer died peacefully at home Sunday, April 18, 2004, on the Lake of Egypt near Marion.

He was born June 30, 1933, in Cape Girardeau, son of Edward and Opal Blumer. He married LaNora Jean Baker Oct. 19, 1953, in Cape Girardeau.

They were blessed with three sons, three daughters-in-law and two grandchildren: Douglas Blumer and Nancy Irish of San Francisco, Calif., Steve and Donna Brown Blumer of Clearwater, Fla., Randy and Angela Smith Blumer and their children Emily and Sam of Dallas, Ga.

He is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Reynolds of Cape Girardeau and Dorothy Welker of Gardner, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Margie.

Sonny Blumer married his high school sweetheart, LaNora Jean Baker, in 1953. They met when they were alphabetically assigned the same locker in ninth grade at Cape Girardeau Central High School. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003, surrounded by a very large group of family and friends. One group of those friends has remained close since first grade.

Friendship was always a huge part of his life. He enjoyed a large, loyal and deeply devoted circle of friends. Two of which, Delain Bendel and John Barnard, made up an inseparable trio for many many years. It was often said he had no enemies.

Sonny could always be counted on to assist with neighborhood projects or just about anything that needed to be done. He was a jack of all trades, possessing a wide range of practical skills, many learned in the U.S. Navy Seabees, but most just grew naturally out of the active life he led. He just figured it out.

Mr. Blumer retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 31 years in Cape Girardeau. He served in the U.S. Navy, retiring from the Seabees in 1983.

In the 1960s he began B&B Television Service with Mr. Bendel. He served as president of the Cape Girardeau Stock Car Association in the 1960s and was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge.

In his younger days, Sonny loved to dance and he and LaNora were impressive and graceful on the dance floor. He loved music, laughter and entertaining. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, rarely missing a televised game.

He loved watching TV. Two of his favorite shows were "The Flying Tigers" and naturally, "The Flying Seabees," both starring John Wayne.

Though he was not much of a fisherman, Sonny loved living on the Lake of Egypt, where he was an avid boater and water skier. He was known as a formidable opponent at his Tuesday night card game.

Sonny lived an incredibly rich, happy and rewarding life. He was loved by all who knew him. He was a big man (six feet, three inches). But that was only the outside. With his huge, kind heart and generous soul, he seemed to be more like 10 feet tall.

His son Steve felt that "The world got a little heavier today, because one of the big guys holding it up, slipped away."

At his request, the body was cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Blue Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lake of Egypt Christian Church Building Fund, Hospice of Southern Illinois or a charity of one's choice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent to Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, Ill. 62959.

To view this obit and sign the register book, visit the Web site at www.bluefuneralhome.com.