Margaret A. Blume 88 of Urbana died at 5:39 a.m. Thursday, August 13, 2009 at Amber Glen Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Urbana with her family beside her. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 17, 2009, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, Urbana. The Rev. John Sims will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour before the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Margaret was born on February 15, 1921 in Sadorus, IL, the daughter of Roy and Emma Wood. She graduated from Sadorus High School and Burnham Hospital School of Nursing in the class of 1942. She married Ray G. Blume, her loving husband of 53 years on April 13, 1944 in Mahomet, IL. Survivors include two daughters; Joyce (Patrick) Dill and Donna Blume both of Urbana, one son; Richard Blume of Urbana, two grandchildren; Stasi (Denny) Kerschner of Atwood, and Ryan Dill, of Champaign, two sisters; Betty Grothe of Rantoul and Berniece Magsamen of Decatur; two brothers; William Wood of Sadorus, and Kenneth Wood of Champaign. She was predeceased by her husband, Ray in 1997, and by three sisters; Lucille Wood, Marie Ogden, and Lois Stierwalt; and three brothers, Jack Wood, Harold Wood, and James Wood.

Margaret was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Urbana. She was also a member of Amvets Post #3 Auxiliary, the Champaign County Nursing Home Auxiliary, and the Burnham Nurses Alumnae Association. She was a nurse at Burnham Hospital in Champaign and later at Champaign County Nursing Home. She was an avid Advocate for her patients and the kind of nurse anyone would want to provide care for a loved one. Margaret and her husband, Ray, worked many years to get services for those with developmental disabilities in Champaign County.

Margaret loved her family, her Burnham classmates of 1942 who were her lifelong friends, and finding a bargain at flea markets and garage sales. Her legacy will be the comfort she brought to others and the lessons she taught us about facing life's challenges. Memorials may be made to Developmental Services Center, Champaign.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikffchapel.com.