This October, as we celebrate Women in Business, one name stands out in McDonough County: Rachel Bliven. Rachel worked tirelessly—not only as the wife of John Bliven, Illinois’ first longest-serving sheriff, but as a mother, a courthouse employee, and the cook for the county jail inmates.
During our interview, I had to remind myself repeatedly that this story was about Rachel—not her famous husband. Most remember John Bliven’s 32 years as sheriff, but as the saying goes, “Behind every great man is a great woman.”
Rachel Kimble grew up on a farm, just three miles east of Macomb. After graduating from Bardolph High School in 1946, she studied music and business at Western Illinois University. Her first job was in the circuit clerk’s office at the McDonough County Courthouse, where she met a young deputy named John Bliven. After dating for a year and a half, they married in Shelbyville, Illinois.
John won his first term as sheriff in 1954, serving four years before a law barred sheriffs from consecutive terms. That changed in 1970 with the “blue ballot” law, allowing sheriffs to run unlimited terms. With Rachel’s steadfast support, John served eight terms—32 years total—and retired in 1994 after nearly 50 years in law enforcement.
While John protected the county, Rachel managed a demanding life of her own.
The Blivens lived above the old county jail on Jackson Street, where Rachel raised their daughters— Linda (1954), Brenda (1959), and Janet (1964). Linda and Brenda practically grew up in that upstairs apartment of the old jail, while baby Janet spent her childhood and teen years in the newer jail, before John and Rachel moved to a house on Jamie Lane in 1986.
Besides raising their children, Rachel cooked hearty meals for the inmates, who eagerly anticipated her generous portions and homemade pies and pastries. Food traveled down a dumbwaiter to jail staff, who delivered it to prisoners. At one point, a prisoner with a broken ankle lived in the jail basement and became her helper, assisting with cooking and errands.
Rachel balanced her jail cooking duties and raising a family with a 20-year full-time job at the courthouse where she worked in numerous county offices including Supervisor of Assessments, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Treasurer and Voter Registration. Rachel’s work history also included the WIU Personnel Office and the City of Macomb Mayor’s Office.
Family vacations were rare. Rachel said John’s work was “his life.” He believed protecting McDonough County was his responsibility— not lounging on a beach.
When John retired, Rachel recalls, he struggled to adjust. He loved his job and felt lost without it. He passed away in 1999.
Now 95 and living comfortably in her home, Rachel still glows when she talks about her grandchildren— Lauren, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Wesley, and Sarah—and her five great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. She has no plans to leave McDonough County, preferring to stay close to family year-round. She treasures the fall season and Christmas, continuing to bake pastries, casseroles, and desserts for loved ones.
Rachel stays active, playing cards twice a week and participating in community groups like a literary club, the First Christian Church, and the Macomb Women’s Club. She sees her daughter Janet nearly every day, a highlight of her life. Her cats, who enjoy insulated outdoor houses by the front door, bring her joy as well.
Rachel Kimble Bliven never strayed far from her roots, finding everything she needed here—family, career, friends, and purpose. To her, living above the county jail was simply part of supporting her husband’s vital work.
A recent hip injury slowed her briefly, but
Rachel is back on her feet and going strong.
Rachel Bliven is a treasured senior citizen of Macomb and a woman we proudly honor this month for her role in business, family, and community.
