Obituary of Eldon Robert Blackburn

Eldon Blackburn, 90, of Niles, passed away at Lakeland Hospital on Friday, January 2, 2015 with his family by his side. Eldon was born on December 11, 1924 to the late George Herman and Thelma (Roy) Blackburn in Niles, Michigan. After school Eldon enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp where he proudly served his country. While in the service he served as a sharpshooter and pilot before his honorable discharge. Soon after Eldon came home he wed the love of his life, Donna Goodling at a ceremony in Merced, California. The two were married for 68 wonderful years before Donna passed in late 2012. Eldon was always a busy man. He was a supervisor at Clark Equipment Company in the Axle Engineering Department. Many times Eldon worked two jobs to support his family and give them the life he thought they deserved. Family was very important to Eldon and he cherished his time spent with them. He and Donna were members of First Presbyterian Church in Niles and he loved to hunt, fish, collect coins and play BINGO. If you couldn't find Eldon and Donna at home you knew they were probably out enjoying BINGO or fishing at Bear Lake in Jones, Michigan. The two helped manage the campground there and made many life long friendships at the campground. Eldon is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna; daughter, Gail Harmon; and brother Kenneth Blackburn. He is survived by his children, Kathy (Jeff Burrows) Malone of Niles, Gary (Sandy) Blackburn of Byron Center, Michigan and Barbara Speers of Pinellas Park, Florida; grandchildren Thomas (Becky) Kessler, Wendy (Jeromy) Hanson, Amy (Brett) Nielsen, Kelly (Sara Gibson) Rakowski and Erin (Dylan) Brooker; 20 great grandchildren; one great great grandson; a brother Dwayne Blackburn of North Carolina; and a special friend Penny Hocker of Niles. A time of visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Niles on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Eldon's name may do so to the Wounded Warrior Project at PO Box 758517 in Topeka, Kansas 66675 or The Foundation at First Presbyterian Church located at 13 South 4th Street in Niles.