SYRACUSE – John W. Blackburn, 88, of Goshen, passed away at 10:40 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2019, at Courtyard Healthcare Center in Goshen.
He was born on May 8, 1930, in Prestonsburg, Ky., to Elbert and Eliza Skeens Blackburn. He grew up in Prestonsburg and attended public schools there. He moved to Indiana in 1954 and lived in Nappanee and Syracuse before residing at the nursing home in Goshen.
He was married on Oct. 4, 1980, in Nappanee, to Marilyn Jane Linville, who preceded him July 10, 2003.
He was formerly employed at Vitco in Nappanee for many years and owned a taxi service for the Amish in the Nappanee area.
He was affiliated with the Word of Truth Ministries in Milford and formerly attended the Pillar of Fire Church in Nappanee. He loved to do puzzles and enjoyed the nursing home fellowship.
He is survived by three daughters: Diane (Terry) Buck of Syracuse, Eva Howard of Syracuse and Deb Blackburn of Goshen; a son, John (Eva Jo) Blackburn Jr. of Warsaw; 18 grandchildren; several great- and great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lillie Johnson of Trotwood, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and three brothers: Walter, Mick and Ferd Blackburn.
Cremation will take place at Cremation Services of Kosciusko County, Warsaw.
Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Word of Truth Ministries, 210 E Catherine St., Milford. Private burial will take place in the Union Center Cemetery near Nappanee.
Owen Family Funeral Home, Syracuse, is in charge of arrangements.
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Memorials may be given to the John Blackburn Funeral Fund, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, IN 46567.
To send condolences to the family in memory of John Blackburn, visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
