09/29/2017

Obituary for Roy W. Blackburn

Funeral Director and Owner of Blackburn Funeral Homes

ROY WILLERTON BLACKBURN
(March 29, 1942 - September 22, 2017)

HARRISON CO., OHIO LONG TIME FUNERAL DIRECTOR DIES:

Roy W. Blackburn, 75, owner of Blackburn Funeral Homes in Hopedale, Jewett and Bergholz, Ohio died Friday Sept 22 in Valley Hospice, Trinity Medical Center West, Steubenville, Ohio. He was born March 29, 1942 in Hopedale, Ohio, son of the late Ralph A. and L. Ruth Willerton Blackburn. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Fred Blackburn, and two sisters, Lois Blackburn and Ellen Brown. Roy was a 1960 graduate of Hopedale High School, attended the Ohio University Branch at Martins Ferry and did his funeral and embalming schooling at Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Roy was a member of the Hopedale United Methodist church, the Masonic Lodge FA&M # 333 of Unionport, The Scottish Rite of Steubenville and the Steubenville Shrine Club. He was also a member of the former Hopedale Lion’s Club and the Jewett Ruritans. Since he was 15, Roy flew his airplanes and was a licensed private pilot. Another hobby was raising, parading and showing his English Shire Draft horses. He enjoyed hunting and was a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association and the Ohio Gun Collector's Association. He was his own carpenter, electrician and plumber.

Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Claren Branch Blackburn, also a licensed funeral director, three sons, Roy (Jenny) Blackburn of Tampa, Fla., Robb (Courtney) Blackburn of Bristow, Va. and Forrest (Judy) Blackburn of Monroeville, Pa. He has a daughter Christine Blackburn of Denver, Colorado and a sister-in-law, Clyda Blackburn of Utah. There are 6 grandchildren, Jocelyn, Jillian, Benjamin, Zachary, of Monroeville and Conner and Ellie of Bristow.

Friends may call Tuesday Sept 26, from 2 - 4 and 6 - 9 pm at Blackburn Funeral Home 324 High St. Hopedale, Ohio Masonic services will be there Tues. at 7pm. Funeral services are Wednesday 1 pm there with Pastor David Quillen. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery near Hopedale. Contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children in care of The Steubenville Shrine Club, Kenwood Rd. Steubenville, Ohio 43952, or the Hopedale Volunteer Fire Dept. E. Main St. Hopedale, Ohio 43976.

Blackburn Funeral Home 740-937-2461 www.blackburnfuneralhomes.com