Ralph Hubert Blackford
December 14, 1923 — October 29, 2007
Ralph Hubert Blackford, 83, of Marion, died, Monday, October 29, 2007, at the Hiawatha Care Center, following an extended illness. Services: 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 2, 2007, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion by Rev. H. Burr Bryant. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Marion; three sons, Burdette “Bud” (Kristine) of Alburnett, Ralph Wayne (Linda) of Marion, and Gary (Kathy) of Marion; three step-children, Dana (James) O’Hearn of Edwardsville, Illinois, Kara (Jon) Dornbusch of Robins, and Kelci Erne of Marion; ten grandchildren, Bret Blackford, Scott (Dawn) Blackford, Holly (Darrick) Hall, Erin (Jeremy) Petersen, Leah (Kasey) Nebergall, Wyatt Blackford, Sidney (Cindy) Yeomans, Jenny (Steve) Lorch, Brady and Hailey O’Hearn; and fifteen great-grandchildren, Logan, Brenton, Dalton, Makenna, Riley, Abbi, Chance, Landon, Olivia, Kale, Regan, Reed, Emily, Hope, and Josie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sana Louise; and three sisters, Thelma Bogel, Vivian Petersen, and Betty Blackford.
Ralph was born December 14, 1923, the son of Hubert H. and Edith M. (Dukek) Blackford in Kenwood. On November 14, 1998, he married Shirley Erne in Cedar Rapids. He was a lifetime farmer and cattle feeder.
Ralph was a member of Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church and a forty year member of the Linn County Cattlemen’s Association where he served as president and secretary/treasurer.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Ralph’s memory.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Marion; three sons, Burdette “Bud” (Kristine) of Alburnett, Ralph Wayne (Linda) of Marion, and Gary (Kathy) of Marion; three step-children, Dana (James) O’Hearn of Edwardsville, Illinois, Kara (Jon) Dornbusch of Robins, and Kelci Erne of Marion; ten grandchildren, Bret Blackford, Scott (Dawn) Blackford, Holly (Darrick) Hall, Erin (Jeremy) Petersen, Leah (Kasey) Nebergall, Wyatt Blackford, Sidney (Cindy) Yeomans, Jenny (Steve) Lorch, Brady and Hailey O’Hearn; and fifteen great-grandchildren, Logan, Brenton, Dalton, Makenna, Riley, Abbi, Chance, Landon, Olivia, Kale, Regan, Reed, Emily, Hope, and Josie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sana Louise; and three sisters, Thelma Bogel, Vivian Petersen, and Betty Blackford.
Ralph was born December 14, 1923, the son of Hubert H. and Edith M. (Dukek) Blackford in Kenwood. On November 14, 1998, he married Shirley Erne in Cedar Rapids. He was a lifetime farmer and cattle feeder.
Ralph was a member of Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church and a forty year member of the Linn County Cattlemen’s Association where he served as president and secretary/treasurer.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Ralph’s memory.
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