Wilma Blackburn

Wilma June Blackburn, age 92 of Niles, Michigan died on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Milford, Indiana. Wilma was born August 7, 1923 in Buchanan, Michigan to Marshall Alva and Edna Marie (Coleman) Richey.

Wilma was retired from Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles after over 25 years of service. She enjoyed reading, bird watching and looking at photos of family and friends.

She loved being a grandmother and spending time with her family.

On March 1, 1941 in Coloma, Michigan, Wilma married James C. Blackburn, who preceded her in death on June 6, 1989. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Jimmie Blackburn who died July 7, 1982 and R. Joe Blackburn who died March 22, 2015; one daughter, Sandra Walter who died January 25, 2015; one grandson, Troy Blackburn; one great-grandson, Brandon Okonski; a brother, Dale Richey; a sister, Wanda Madary and a step-brother, M. Buford Richey.

Surviving family includes one daughter, Susan Blackburn of Warsaw, Indiana; two daughters-in-law, Ruth Blackburn of New Paris, Indiana, and Carol Phillips of Wartburg, Tennessee; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren and 4 step-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Wilma June Blackburn will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 9, 2016 at Huntly Memorial Baptist Church in Niles with Pastor Joe Turnpaugh of the Living Faith Fellowship of Elkhart, Indiana officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m.. Donations in memory of Wilma may be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.