Joseph Leo Blackburn

Joseph Leo Blackburn, 97 years of age passed away July 10, 2012 in St Paul, Minnesota. He was born April 19, 1915 in Racine, Wisconsin to Frederick and Ruth (Tierney) Blackburn. He married Dorothy A. Jackson on May 1, 1948 in Rockford, Illinois.

Longtime resident of Rockford, Illinois, he retired to Apache Junction, Arizona. He lived in White Bear Lake, Minnesota the past 5 years. He graduated from Rockford HS in 1936 and was a member of the 1933 State Champion Track and Field team. He served in the Topographical Engineering Corp during WWII and was stationed in North Africa and Hawaii. He worked as a lithographer for 40 years. He was an excellent bowler, liked sports of all kinds, was an avid card player, and enjoyed the outdoors. He was a loving father and grandfather carrying pictures in his wallet of his family to show to any and all.

Survived by his son F. Thomas Blackburn of Winnebago; two daughters Carol (Donald) Effertz of White Bear Lake, Minnesota and Nancy (Paul) Montgomery of Washington; eight grandchildren, Terry, Thomas and Tiffany Blackburn; Keith, Gary, and Michael Effertz; Kathleen and Andrew Montgomery; and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, 4 brothers, 3 sisters, and daughter-in-law Mary.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Funeral service 11 a.m. Monday, July 16, at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park, with visitation from 10 a.m. to time of service. Interment in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be given to the family at sunsetfhmemgardens.com.