February 21, 2023 at 5:50 p.m.
Ralph Blackford
Aug. 26, 1932-Feb. 18, 2023
Ralph L. Blackford, age 90, of Portland passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at his residence.
He was born in Union City, Indiana, on Aug. 26, 1932, the son of Raymond and Barbara (Stroble) Blackford. He was married on Sept. 7, 1958, to Susan K. Beard and she passed away on Dec. 28, 2018. Ralph retired in 1976 after a career in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was a 1951 Portland High School graduate, served in the U.S. Navy during Korea and Vietnam, member of West Walnut Street Church of Christ, American Legion Post #211, Kiwanis Club and U.S. Coast Guard C.P.O. Association. He had also worked at the Jay County Hospital in supply.
Surviving are one son, David Blackford (wife: Jennifer) of Portland; one daughter, Barbara Caster (husband: Bill) of Portland; one sister, Janice Bray (husband: Clyde) of Portland; five grandsons, Patrick, Garhett, Matthew, Brian and Michael; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by brothers Paul, Gary and Keith Blackford; and a sister Mary Dailey.
Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastors Gil Alicea and Darrell Borders presiding. Burial will follow in the Green Park Cemetery with military graveside rites by American Legion Post #211. Visitation will be Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to West Walnut Street Church of Christ or Everheart Hospice.
Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeeman.com
He was born in Union City, Indiana, on Aug. 26, 1932, the son of Raymond and Barbara (Stroble) Blackford. He was married on Sept. 7, 1958, to Susan K. Beard and she passed away on Dec. 28, 2018. Ralph retired in 1976 after a career in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was a 1951 Portland High School graduate, served in the U.S. Navy during Korea and Vietnam, member of West Walnut Street Church of Christ, American Legion Post #211, Kiwanis Club and U.S. Coast Guard C.P.O. Association. He had also worked at the Jay County Hospital in supply.
Surviving are one son, David Blackford (wife: Jennifer) of Portland; one daughter, Barbara Caster (husband: Bill) of Portland; one sister, Janice Bray (husband: Clyde) of Portland; five grandsons, Patrick, Garhett, Matthew, Brian and Michael; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by brothers Paul, Gary and Keith Blackford; and a sister Mary Dailey.
Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastors Gil Alicea and Darrell Borders presiding. Burial will follow in the Green Park Cemetery with military graveside rites by American Legion Post #211. Visitation will be Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to West Walnut Street Church of Christ or Everheart Hospice.
Condolences may be expressed at bairdfreeeman.com
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