LADONNA BLADES

West Frankfort–LaDonna "Momo" Blades, 92, went to be with the Lord at her home of 70+ years in the care of her loving family on Saturday January 3, 2026. Known for her ability to talk to anyone, if a story was worth telling once it was worth telling many times, her faith in Jesus, and her dedication to her church and family. She leaves behind a legacy of un-wavering maternal care emulated by her daughters, grand-daughters and great-grand-daughters. LaDonna was born on April 6, 1933 in Johnston City, the daughter of James Coulson and Elma Lee Montgomery Coulson Sine. She married Paul Blades on October 14, 1951 in West Frankfort.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 53 years, Paul Blades, her son Steven Blades, her daughter and son-in-law Sandi and Robert Scheffer, her grandson Brad Scheffer, her siblings Jim Coulson, Barbara Carter (Coulson), Johnny Sine, Charles Sine, and her parents.

Momo is survived by her three children, Fred (Regina) Blades of Marion, Randy (Penny) Blades of Johnston City, and Elaine (Kirk) Lee of Johnston City; her grandchildren Christie (Kyle) Kohlhaas, Ashley (Aaron) Eurell, Robbie (Melissa) Scheffer, Dustin (former spouse Crystal Yearian) Scheffer, Brandon Blades, Amanda Blades, Randa Burgess, Jeremy (Jennifer) Blades, Natasha (Justin) Payne, Hannah Jones, and Emmy Crain; her great-grandchildren Benjamin (Christy) Kohlhaas, Morgan (Curtis) Fortin, Gideon Kohlhaas, Tori Eurell, Ryan Eurell, Owen Eurell, Campbell Eurell, Cole Scheffer, Trenton Yearian, Caleb Yearian, River Yearian, Brynlee Yearian, Bailey Blades, Brockton Blades, Kaysha Chaney, Aaliyah Blades, Trayvon Blades, Sophie Burgess, Devlin Burgess, Liam Burgess, Mia Burgess, Kira Blades, Lucas Blades, Aubrey Payne, Hayden Payne, Paisley Jones, and Rexley Jones;
and her great-great-grandchildren Elizabeth Kohlhaas and Ivy Fortin, and her beloved cat, Taffy.

LaDonna was a homemaker and member of the Harmony Free Will Baptist Church for over 70 years. She volunteered at the Marion Memorial Hospital for over 20 years where her life-long love of talking was put to great use consoling and distracting families in the same day surgery center.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday January 9, 2026 at the Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City. Services will be held at 11 A.M., Saturday January 10, 2026, at Harmony Freewill Baptist Church in West Frankfort with Pastor Curtis Smith officiating. LaDonna will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City immediately following the church service.

Memorials may be made to Hearts Helping Hearts.