William H. Blackmun
March 29, 1925-Sept. 1, 2008
Mr. William H. Blackmun, 82, of Yankee Street, died at 7:35 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1st, in Riveridge Manor, Niles, following an extended illness.
Mr. Blackmun was born on March 29, 1925, in Buchanan, MI, to Harold and Ruth (Carnes) Blackmun, and had lived in this area most of his life. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, earning two bronze battle stars. He attended the University of Notre Dame (Indiana), the Chicago Art Academy, and the American Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, and had been a professional artist all of his adult life.
Bill was especially gifted in both commercial arts and painting. Early in his career he created the original "Tidy-Cat" icon which was on every package and advertisement for many years. He was capable of creating freehand (without models or plans) replicas of ships, airplanes and historic figures. He also lent his hand to community projects such as the mural encircling the children's area of the Niles District Library.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, where he was active in the choir and served as a deacon. He had been a member of the Niles-Buchanan Club of Rotary International since 1959, and had served as its secretary for over 32 years. He also had an interest in nature and wildlife, and enjoyed studying history, especially the Civil War (in which his great-grandfather, Hoel C. Wright, served) and World War II.
Nearly 60 years ago, on January 1, 1949, in Niles, he married Doris J. Harrington, who survives. Also surviving are their daughter, Linda (Tom) Frey of Defiance, Ohio, and Judi (Pat) Quinn of Lansing, MI; four grandchildren; Bill's brother, Robert (Pat) Blackmun of Hilton, NY; and sister, Mary (Jack) Crouch of Goshen, IN.
The funeral service for William H. Blackmun will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5th, in First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with the Rev. Janet VanLear officiating. Committal rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
Contributions in memory of Bill Blackmun may be made to the Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church or to the Niles District Library.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown