Kennith William Blan, Jr., 78, of Crystal Beach, Florida—formerly of Danville,
Illinois—passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Ken is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Lyndy Ervin Blan, and his son, Noah
Blan, of Highland Park, Illinois. He was born on December 15, 1946, in Detroit,
Michigan, to Col. Kennith W. Blan, Sr. (USAF, Ret.), also of Crystal Beach, and Sara
“Shirley” Blan, who preceded him in death.

In addition to Lyndy, Noah, and Col. Blan, Ken is survived by his stepdaughters: Sarah
Bogen (Patrick), Stacy Conn (Stephen Ellis), Leanne Moore (William), and Holly Slaters
(Thomas); ten granddaughters and one grandson; and many cherished extended family
members.

Ken was a devoted and lifelong supporter of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini,
where he earned his undergraduate degree in communications and later his Juris
Doctor. Ken was admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the
Seventh Circuit, the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, and
the United States Supreme Court, where he successfully argued a case in 1978. A
highly regarded attorney, Ken dedicated his legal practice exclusively to representing
injured individuals and their families. He sought justice for harm that could not be
undone and relief where healing was possible. He practiced throughout Central Illinois
focusing on complex cases involving medical and legal malpractice and other
catastrophic injuries.

Ken’s professional contributions extended beyond the courtroom. He served for many
years on the Board of Managers of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, held two
elected terms as Governor of the American Association for Justice, and was a founding
member of Trial Lawyers for Public Justice.

Beyond the law, Ken was for many decades a skilled private pilot and an avid golfer,
earning the distinction of competing at the national level in the Oldsmobile Scramble in
1999. Ken was a member of several clubs over the years and most recently belonged to
Innisbrook Golf Resort, where he especially enjoyed the challenge of playing the
Copperhead Course. He and Lyndy also shared a love of the Chicago Bears and St.
Louis Cardinals, and together they were active supporters of numerous civic and
charitable organizations.

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held in Danville at a later date.