Michael D. Blair, 67, passed away at 10:40 p.m. Feb. 9, 2015, in his home at Hoffman Lake in the company of his loved ones. He was born Nov. 14, 1947, in Muncie, to John and Jacqueline Harden Blair. On Nov. 1, 1986, in Warsaw, he married Cheryl Moody Blair, who survives. They were married 28 years. Mike (as he was known by all) graduated from Muncie Southside High School in 1967, and was football MVP his senior year. He served and retired from the U.S. Navy and Reserves after serving 22 years, including four years as a seabee, retiring as a chief petty officer (E-7). He joined the Atwood Volunteer Fire Department in February 1985 and served as firefighter and secretary of the department. He also served the Kosciusko County Firemen’s Association for many years as treasurer, was a member of the Fire Investigation Team of Kosciusko County and instrumental in the county smoke detector program. He attended numerous firefighter trainings and was state-level certified as a first and second class firefighter, master certification in strategy and tactics along with fire/arson investigations. He served two terms as a commissioner on the State of Indiana’s Fire and Building Safety Commission. He was a committed employee of RR Donnelley & Sons, Warsaw, and retired after 42 years of service. He frequently entertained family and friends around his backyard fire pit and enjoyed grilling and his spectacular July 4th fireworks show that he would put on for the neighborhood. He also enjoyed mowing the neighborhood on his riding lawn mower. Also surviving are a daughter, Cori (and companion John) Hargrave, Warsaw; a son, Tyrene (and companion Blanca) Blair, Warsaw; two grandchildren, Jayden and Taytum Hargrove, Warsaw; a brother, Kent (and spouse Cherry) Blair, Muncie; and a sister, Jaralynn “J.K.” Blair, Muncie. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bruce Blair. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Warsaw Community Church, Warsaw. Burial will be at the Oakwood Cemetery with Military Rites by the United States Navy Funeral Honor Guard, American Legion Post 49 and VFW Post 1126. Calling is from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, with the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association Memorial Service at 7:30 p.m., with Pastors Barb Hidelbaugh and Jim Churchill officiating. ***** Memorials may be made to Atwood Volunteer Fire Department C/O Chief Mike Harmon 5715 N. 500 W. Warsaw, IN 46582 Condolences via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
