Obituary of Ronnie Gene Blackburn

Heltonville – Ronnie Gene “Blackie” Blackburn, 68, of Heltonville, died at 1:48 am on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at I.U. Health Bloomington Hospital. Born May 19, 1948, in Oolitic, he was the son of Gordon and Alice (Thompson) Blackburn. He married Margaret Windhorst on July 1, 1978 and she survives. He was a graduate of Oolitic High School with the class of 1968. After graduation, Ronnie and six close friends joined the Marine Corps, attended boot camp together, and served their country. Ronnie served honorably in Vietnam and was awarded several medals and ribbons for his six years of service from 1968 to 1974. He worked for Imco Recycling for thirty-one years and retired as a material handler at Aisin in Seymour. He was a past commander of the Oolitic V.F.W. and a member of the D.A.V. He was of the Christian faith and a former member of the Central Christian Church in Seymour. Survivors include his wife, Margaret, of Heltonville; a daughter, Veronica Flynn and husband, Daniel, of Bedford; four sons, James Blackburn of New Mexico, William Blackburn and wife, Michelle, of Illinois, Daniel Blackburn and wife, Stephanie, of Silverville, Ronnie Blackburn II and wife, Adrienne, of Norman; four grandsons; four granddaughters and one great grandson; a brother, Larry Blackburn; five sisters, Sue Goins, Marilyn Peters, Stella Trowbridge, Brenda Gross and Betty Blackburn; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Marshall Flynn. Pallbearers will be Bill Blackwell, Terry Graves, Dennis Lackey, Mike Strunk, Ronnie Blackburn II, and Morris Windhorst II. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 6th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery with military rites accorded. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 5th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Family and friends may express condolences at www.daycarter.com.