John Howard Blackburn, Sr.

John Howard Blackburn, Sr., age 80, of Monon passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at the White County Memorial Hospital. John was born July 7, 1930, the son of the late James Edward and Mary Theresa (McCormick) Blackburn. He was a lifetime area resident, graduating from Monon High School with the class of 1948. On June 21, 1952, John married the love of his life, Phyllis Faye Jordan and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage together. After working at RCA in Monticello for a few years John began farming. He and Phyllis lived on a farm in Hanging Grove Township, near Francesville, for many years. Upon his retirement they moved to Monon. John was a member of the St. Frances Solano Catholic Church in Francesville and the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Reynolds. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Bishop Dwenger Council 1881 and a life member of the 4th Degree Marion Assembly Council 1833. John’s activities in the Knights of Columbus included serving as district deputy, fish fries, 4th Degree standing guard duty, memorial services, parades and countless community serviceable activities. John was a former leader of the Hanging Grove Township 4-H club and a former member of the Jasper County Fair Association. He was a member of the Monticello chapter of the Son’s of the American Legion. Surviving with his beloved wife, Phyllis of Monon, are five children, Christine (Gregory) Odom, Francesville; Dean (Patty) Blackburn, West Lafayette; Bridget LaFree and Angie (Mark) Lawrence, Sr., both of Rensselaer and John (Rebecca) Blackburn, Jr., Francesville; nine grandchildren, Bryan (Laura) Odom, Valparaiso; Samuel (Katie) Odom, Dekalb, IL; Jeffrey (Kelly) Odom, Lebanon, Kateland Blackburn, West Lafayette; Ashley Lawrence and Mark Lawrence, Jr., Rensselaer; Gretchen Blackburn, Clarissa Blackburn, and Avery Blackburn of Francesville; two step-grandchildren, Cory St. Clair, Logansport and Rena St. Clair, Anderson; one great-grandson, Max Fisher Odom; and two sisters, Phyllis (Bob) Briney, Logansport and Mississippi and Mary Goble, Monon. John was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter Mandi Blackburn, a sister Catherine Criswell, and his brother Louis who was declared dead from the Battle of Coral Sea in 1942 during World War II.

John Howard Blackburn, Sr.

July 7, 1930 - October 6, 2010