Aug. 7, 1923 — May 5, 2016

Wilma June Blackburn, 92, of Niles, Michigan died on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Milford, Indiana. Wilma was born Aug. 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 Jan. 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; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Wilma June Blackburn will be held at 11 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 a.m.. Donations in memory of Wilma may be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com