Richard Raymond Blackburn, 86, of Bertrand, Missouri died peacefully, Monday, January 10, 2022, with his loving wife Shirley and family by his side, at the Westfield Nursing Center near Sikeston.

Born November 19, 1935 in Mississippi County, Missouri, he was the oldest child of Raymond Norwood Blackburn and Hattie Lenora Weakley Blackburn.  He was a graduate of Charleston High School and served in the United States Army at Fort Leonard Wood and in Germany. After the military, he worked as a carpenter for Jobe Construction of Bertrand, Mo. Later, he worked at Canedy Sign Company of Sikeston until he retired at the age of 75.

On October 19, 1957 he married Mary Margaret Martin Blackburn.  They were married 44 years before her death on December 29, 2001.  Together they had 3 children who survive him, Richard Keith (Emily) Blackburn, of Topeka, Kansas, Mark Alan (Tracy) Blackburn of Lebanon, Missouri, and Marlana Denise (Steven) Patton, of Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Richard has 6 loving grandchildren who survive him, Richard Tyler (Lexis) Blackburn of Searcy, AR., Aubrey Nicole (Matt) Iles of Mansfield, TX., Brandi Rae Blackburn, of Ann Arbor, MI., Roxana Nicole (Jeremy) of Lebanon, MO., Jacob Alan Patton of Dawson Springs,KY., and Sarah Beth (Travis) Brewer of Hanson, KY. Great-Grandchildren include Cameron and Bryce Beck, Liam Nix, Sebastian Patton, Bryar Patton, Emery Patton, and Isaiah and Isaac Brewer.

On March 15, 2008 he married his loving wife, Shirley Lee Black Blackburn, who survives of the home. He was blessed by the love of his step-children Jeanne Elaine (Glen) Marshall of Jackson, and Judy (Dan) Duenne of Charleston.  Step grandchildren include Laurie Ann Bell of Jackson, MO., Matt (Laura) Hatchel, Blytheville, AR., Danielle (Cole Reichert) Duenne , Kate Ann (Josh) Medlock, and Tori Duenne all of Charleston. Step-Great Grandchildren include Maddie Grace Bell, Gavin and Owen Hatchel, Andy Reichert, and Quinn and Lucy Medlock.

Richard has one brother, James Walter (Pat) Blackburn of House Springs, MO, and one sister Nancy Carol Ashmore of Forney, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Margaret, his infant sister Mary Ellen Blackburn, and stepson Donnie Hatchel.

Richard loved the Lord and is celebrating his homecoming.  He attended Abundant Grace Church and and Cornerstone Church in Bertrand.

He loved mowing the yard, hunting, fishing, and growing a big garden.  He also loved to play jokes on people and playing with his grandkids.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 14, 2022, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.  Larry Kirby will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Mark Blackburn, Keith Blackburn, Steve Patton, Josh Medlock, Tyler Blackburn, Jacob Patton, and Honorary Pallbearer, Dan Duenne.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com