Blackburn, Bernard P. 1922 – 2002

BLACKBURN, HOREJS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:25

Source: Times Plain Dealer; Nov. 20, 2002 Page A-14
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by Joy Moore

Cremation held for Bernard Blackburn
Cremation was provided by Prock Funeral Home. There was no formal memorial ceremony; ashes were scattered over The Memorial Wildflower Garden at his home.
Bernard, 80, died Saturday, November 9, 2002 at his home after a lengthy illness.
Bernard P. Blackburn was born January 27, 1922 in Cresco, the son of Patrick and Regina Blackburn. He was a United States Marine Veteran serving in the South Pacific.
In 1945 he married Georgia Horejs in Anoka, MN where their nine children were raised. They owned and operated the Blackburn-Horejs Funeral Home in Anoka for many years. In the late 1960’s he made a career shift to become a counselor for the chemically dependent and their families. He moved to Eau Claire in 1970 where he met Randee. They were married in May of 1983.
During his 21 years of employment in Eau Claire, Bernie was involved in developing the detoxification unit at Sacred Heart Hospital, managed and provided counseling for the AODA Treatment Unit at the Eau Claire county Hospital, and established the first state certified psychiatric clinic-based AODA program in Wisconsin, for the Northwest Psychiatric Clinic.
He is survived by his wife Randee; first wife Georgia; children: Susan, Sean, Steven, Sarah, Samuel, Sandra, Scott, Seth, and Stanford; 12 grandchildren; two greatgrandchildren; and one brother: John.
Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers: Lowell and Gerald.