Billy Wilburn Blackburn

Billy Wilburn Blackburn, 79, of Springfield, died at 12:30 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2010 at St. Johns Hospital. Billy was born February 22, 1931 in Donnellson, the son of William Clement and Susie Garwood Blackburn. He married Melvine Huber on April 25, 1955 in Kankakee. Billy was a graduate of Coffeen High School and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked for the USPS as a mail carrier for 30 years. He attended Eastview Baptist Church in Springfield and loved to fish and help others. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; sisters, Opal Bixler and Helen Short; and half-brothers, Thurman, Wayne and George Blackburn. He is survived by his wife, Melvine of Springfield; two daughters, Gail (husband, David) Lauchner of Highland and Gina (husband, Preston) Hoppe of O'Fallon, MO; four grandchildren, Chris and April Lauchner and Kassandra and Nickolas Hoppe; brother, Clement Blackburn of Decatur; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 8, 2010 at Toberman-Dean Funeral Home, 212 W. Main St., Coffeen. Burial will follow at Olive Hill Cemetery in Coffeen. Memorial contributions may be made to: Eastview Baptist Church, 2260 E. Black Ave., Springfield, IL 62702 or American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.