Cletis L. Blackman

Cletis Blackman MARION-Cletis Blackman, 82, of Marion passed away at 9:30 AM, Sunday, January 29, 2006 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Brother David Thompson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Coal Bank Springs Cemetery, east of Marion. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent co; Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, Illinois 62959. Miltary rites will be held at the funeral home by Marion VFW Post 1301 and American Legion Post 147. Mr. Blackman was born on September 9, 1923 in Saline County, Illinois to Charlie and Rilla (Stone) Blackman. He married Vessie Curtner in August of 1946. Survivors include his wife, Vessie of Marion; daughter, Myra Blackman and husband, Phillip Paeltz of Lebanon; daughter, Angelia Blackman-Donovan and her husband, James Donovan of Belleville; son, Mark Blackman and his wife, Teressa Blackman of Houston, Texas; daughter, Elizabeth Blackman-Jackson and her husband, Billy Jackson of Marion; grandchildren, Michael Donovan, David Donovan, Jonathan Donovan, Sarah Shelton, Joshua Shelton, Stephen Blackman, Ryan Blackman, and Kristopher Blackman; step-grandchildren, Fallon Jackson and Conner Jackson; brother and sister-in-law, Denver Blackman of Carrier Mills; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Roy Williams of Carrier Mills, Maxine and Roy Phelps of Longview, Texas, Kathleen and Harry Hoffman of Matoon, Magdalene and Don McMillen of Decatur, and Faye Evans of Saline County; and more than 50 nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents; brothers, Eugene Blackman, Ishmael Blackman and Charles Blackman; and sister, Gladys Tanner. Mr. Blackman worked as a mechanic at several local shops, including Parks Inplement Company and farmed throughout his life. He served his country with the United States Army during World War II in Burma, attached to General Merrill, also Known as “Merrill’s Marauders”. He was the recipient of a number of Service Medals, including three Bronze Stars. He loved his family and his family loved him. He will be missed by all.