Bill-Franklin-Blackwood-87042

Obituary

Bill Franklin Blackwood, 82, of Burlington, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 1999, at Burlington Medical Center. Born May 31, 1917, in Chanute, Kan., he was the son of Everett T. and Mabel "Allie" Robertson Blackwood. He married Ruthe Swenson on June 18, 1942, in Mediapolis. Mr. Blackwood was a graduate of Chanute High School and Chanute Junioer College. On April 4, 1941, he was the seventh person drafted into the U.S. Army from Des Moines County, and in February, 1943, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Adjutant General's Corp. He was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division, serving in the European Theater area until January 1946, when he was discharged as a Captain. He also received the Bronze Star. He worked for J.I. Case Co. for 31 years, retiring as a purchasing manager on July 31, 1980. He was active in the Junior Chamber of Commerce, serving as president and state director, and served on the Messiah Lutheran Church Council, and on the building committee. He was a member of Burlington Rotary Club, and was a Paul Harris fellow; he had just earned his two-year perfect attendance pin. He was a longtime member of Burlington Elks Club 84. He was a sports fan, especially of baseball, and was an avid golfer. His favorite team was the Chicago Cubs, and he was a member of the Die Hard Cub Fan Club.. Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Judith Ann Toy of Cedar Raids; one son, Thomas Wayne Blackwood of Burlington; three grand- children; two sisters, Madge Gardiner of Shelbyville, Ind., and Barbara Blackwood of Chanute, Kan.; and several nieces and nehews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. today in Lunning Chapel. There will be no family visitation. The funeral for Mr. Blackwood will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Messiah Lutheran Church, with the Rev.Carl Engstrom officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established for Messiah Lutheran Church and the American Lung Association.