Philip Dever Blackwell (1930-2011)

BLACKWELL, STEPHENS, ADAMS, HERRSTROM, SLEGH, KRISHNAMURTY

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/22/2011 at 19:30:57

Madrid Register News, May 5, 2011

Philip Dever Blackwell, 81, passed from this life on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa. In agreement with Philip's wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, at the Evangelical Free Church in Madrid, of which he was a member. A private committal service for the family will take place on Wednesday, May 4, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, in Adel.

Philip was born the son of Vinton M. and Linnie I. Stephens Blackwell on January 29, 1930 in Maricopa, CA. Philip enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from Nordoff High School in Ojai, CA. Philip served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He served 20 years from 1948 until 1968. Some of the ships that Philip had served on were: USS Taluga AO-62; USS Cimarron AO-22; USS Begor APD 127; USS Hancock CVA-19; USS Kitty Hawk CVA-63 and the USS Kankakee A-39. Following his twenty active years in the Navy, Philip enlisted in the Naval Reserves and retired after ten more years in 1978. He was very proud of dedicating so much of his life to the Navy and loved to talk to anyone about it.

On March 12, 1956, after being pen pals for several years, Philip married Shirley A. Adams from Madrid, IA and they were united at the Wee Kirk o'the Heather Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, NV. Their love grew and to this union two daughters were born. After retiring from active duty in the U.S. Navy, Philip and Shirley made their home in Madrid. Philip worked as an electrician until he retired from the workforce. He enjoyed traveling with his family, fishing with his wife and working outside in the yard and garden. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandsons. He was blessed with a great grandson born in February which he was able to hold in March.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Shirley Blackwell of Madrid; daughters, Tamara (Brian) Herrstrom of Mitchellville and Wendy (Larry) Slegh of Grimes; sister, Mary Krishnamurty of North Carolina; two grand-children, Daniel Herrstrom of Madrid and Christopher (Heather) Herrstrom and great-grandson Paxton Herrstrom of Ayer, MA. Philip was preceded in death by his parents.

The family had greeted friends following the memorial service on Saturday, at the church.