Obituary of Eiliene Jane Blake

Eiliene J. Blake, 91, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, formerly of Buchanan, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at her daughter’s home. Her plea to “be with Jesus”, was answered while in the loving presence of children and staff from Solaris Home Health Care.

She was born on May 29, 1931, to Opal and Olga (Gruenke) Crabdree, in St Louis, Missouri, but due to her fragile health, the family moved to the country where they lived a simple farm life.

Eiliene’s treasured passage from the Bible is Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

On June 8, 1952, she married Wilfred A. Blake, whom she met at Midwest Bible & Missionary Institute where they were both students. They spent their lives serving others as they pastored evangelical Christian churches in Wyoming, Iowa, and Galien, Michigan. Eiliene’s calling to be a missionary in Brazil was answered in 1968, where she taught her beloved seminary students in English, as they taught her Portuguese.

After serving in Brazil and experiencing health challenges, she continued her ministry and later worked for nine years at Gerber Industries in Three Oaks, MI.

Her love for Brazilians, children ministry, and for Jesus, was passed on to many as she encouraged and helped churches with their missions and children’s ministries.   

During the 1990’s she volunteered, and later completed the MI Sheriff’s Association Correctional Chaplaincy Course. She became an official Chaplain with Forgotten Man Ministries and served at the Berrien County Jail for more than a decade.

In her eighties, she continued to conduct weekly Bible studies at Metea Court, in Buchanan, MI.  She loved southern gospel music and passed on that passion to her children.

Although she attended Bible college in 1950-51, she was honored for her life of service with an Associates of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Calvary University, Kansas City, MO, in 2017, when she was 85 years old.

Eiliene loved being a grandma and cheering on her children and grandchildren who are all gifted with athletic, writing, speaking, and musical abilities.

She was known for a happy disposition and being an amazing cook and baker. She loved telling jokes, maintained a youthful spirit, strong work ethic, a bright smile and twinkling blue eyes. She encouraged others by being a prolific card and letter writer. But most of all, her integrity and love for the Lord Jesus made her an example for all to follow.  

Eiliene’s life exemplified courage and a strong will to live in spite of obstacles. She lived through two severe car accidents, life endangering childbirths, and several serious illnesses; all the while claiming God’s promise in Philippians 1:21 – “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  

Preceding Eiliene are her parents, her husband Wilfred, and her infant sisters, Elanora and Melba Crabdree, and her brother, Hoyt E. Crabdree.

Eiliene is survived by her sons, Timothy (Cindy Prenkert) Blake of Buchanan; James (Sheryl Summers) Blake of Niles; Paul (Denise Dennison) Blake of Blair, NE; and daughters Rachel (Ross Ream) Blake and Rebeckah Barringer both of Colorado Springs, CO.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Tyler Blake, Carley (Adam) Paulinski, Andrea Blake, Ariana (Jacob) Grabill, Kyle (Annie) Acre, TJ Acre, Taylor (Melissa) Blake, Clayton Shimanek, Danielle Shimanek; five great-grandchildren, Ella and Braxton Paulinski, Levi, Olivia, and Lila Acre; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Crabdree, and Mary Blake. Also surviving are many loved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 12:00 PM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM at Bertrand Bible Church. An internment will follow at Galien Township Cemetery.   

Memorial donations in Eiliene’s honor may be sent to: Bertrand Bible Church, 1008 Ontario Road, Niles, MI 49120, Life Action Ministries, PO Box 31, Buchanan, MI 49107,  or LifeActionMinistries.org/give-2023, or to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Michigan, PO Box 35297 Detroit, Michigan 48235