Beloved Pinckneyville teacher loses her battle with cancer

Beloved Pinckneyville Community High School math teacher Dr. Nancy Blechle passed away at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 after a courageous battle with renal cancer.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville, Mo.

The Rosary will be prayed at 8:30 a.m. Friday morning, followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Perryville, Mo.

For more information on funeral arrangements check http://www.youngandsonsfuneral.com.

"Dr. Blechle impacted students through her illness, working with us up through Christmas break this year," Superintendent Keith Hagene said. "She pushed kids up until the very end. Besides being a gifted math and science teacher, for the last three and half years, she taught the kids about fortitude, determination and a desire to stay active. I believe that desire helped her fight as hard as she did."

Hagene added that while Blechle worked mostly with college-bound students, she was a gifted teacher and was able to alter her teaching style and pace to suit students at all levels. The students truly appreciated that ability.

The district's Facebook page states: "The PCHS Family celebrates the life of Dr. Nancy Blechle this morning. Doc B passed away at 1:45 a.m. after a valiant battle with renal cancer. She will be missed. Please take a moment today to recognize her passing and appreciate the difference she made in the lives of our students. Love ya Doc B!"

The video valentine for Dr. Blechle made by the entire school last week is also on the Facebook page.

The respect for Dr. Blechle was shared across Southern Illinois. In 2012 she was chosen as "One of the Heartland's Best" as part of KVFS-TV's annual recognition program.