Myralin M. “Myra” Blackman

Myralin M. “Myra” Blackman, 76, of Lebanon, IL, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Cedar Ridge Health Care Center in Lebanon, IL.

She was born on April 23, 1947, in Harrisburg, IL, to Cletis and Vessie (nee Curtner) Blackman. On June 14, 1975, she married Phillip Paeltz in Belleville, IL.

Myra has lived in southern Illinois all her life and graduated from Crab Orchard High School in 1965. She received her Master’s Degree in Consumers Economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1971, and her Master’s in Mathematics from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1987. After finishing college, Myra taught for 36 years at Belleville East High School, teaching consumers economics then finishing her career teaching mathematics.

When she was younger, Myra wanted to be an engineer but was told that she couldn’t, as it was uncommon for women to be in that profession at the time. That didn’t stop her from utilizing her engineering skill set in her day-to-day life, though. Myra loved architecture and design; she would make clothing for her family, build furniture for the house, and decorate anything from inside her home to landscaping outside in the yard. She was also a gourmet cook, making many delicious meals for her family. If Myra put her mind to it, she could do anything.

Myra enjoyed traveling with her husband, especially to New Orleans. She was a steel magnolia; feminine, yet tough as a tank, while also showing compassion, empathy, and patience towards others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cletis and Vessie Blackman.

Myra is survived by her husband of 48 years, Phillip E. Paeltz; siblings, Angelia (James) Blackman-Donovan, Mark Phillip (Teressa) Blackman, Elizabeth Blackman; nieces and nephews, Michael Donovan, Scott Isbell, David Donovan, Jonathan Donovan, Sarah Shelton Hirtzer, Joshua Shelton, Stephen Blackman, Mark Ryan Blackman, Christopher Blackman; many great nieces and great nephews.

If anyone wishes to give or create a memorial for Myra Blackman, Myra and Phillip ask that you consider taking the money that you might donate and go out to dinner with it. They further ask that you think of Myra as you do so.

Visitation: Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 1:00 to 2:45 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL

Funeral Service: Saturday, January 13, 2024, 2:45 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL

Interment: College Hill Cemetery

Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL