BLACKBURN, Charley E. (1867-1954)

BLACKBURN, NOFSTGER, HOOVER

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 2/8/2019 at 12:57:14

Malvern Leader
Malvern, Iowa
October 21, 1954, page 7

Services were held in the Mansfield Funeral Home Saturday at 2 p.m. for Charley E. Blackburn with the Rev. Gordon C. McMillan and the Rev. John L. Beebout officiates.

Charley E. Blackburn, eldest of seven children of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Blackburn, was born in Clarke County, Iowa, October 24, 1867 and departed this life at the University Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, October 13, 1954, just 11 days short of his 87th birthday.

He grew up in Clarke and Decatur County. He was orphaned in early life and made his own way. He started in the barbering trade at the age of 15 and owned and operated a shop in Des Moines for several years.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Des Moines and sang and directed the choir for several years. He was married and was the father of four children. All except one preceded him in death. He later moved to Raton, New Mexico, where he continued in the barber business. From there he moved to Trinidad, Colorado and finally settled in Denver, where he continued barbering for about 35 years.

After retiring in 1945, he visited relatives for two years. After selling his barber shop in Denver, he made his home with his sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Noftsger. He was greatly loved by all his relatives and spent much time visiting them. While visiting a niece, Mrs. Lizzie Butcher, of Decatur, Iowa, he was stricken with his final illness. He was taken to Iowa City October 1 and passed away October 13, 1954.

He leaves to cherish his memory, one son, Roy Blackburn, six grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Lee Nofstger and husband and Mrs. Harry A. Hoover and husband, two brothers, Seth Blackburn and wife of Tabor, Harvey Blackburn in Osceola, Iowa, several nieces and nephews, and a host of neighbors and friends. Recently he received his 50 year certificate as a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge.

He was a good man and was dearly loved by all. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

Pall bearers were nephews of the deceased and were Vaughn Hoover, Cecil Hoover, Gene Hoover, Harry Hoover, Lynn Hoover, and Alva Barrett. Mrs. Chas D. Castell sang "Jesus Lover of My Soul" and "Abide with Me," accompanied by Mrs. William G. Blackburn. Mrs. Darrell Fredrickson, Mrs. Max Blackburn, and Mrs. Ben Martin were in charge of the flowers. Interment was made in the Malvern Cemetery.