Donald "Donny" Blackford, age 76, of South Bend, passed away at his residence on Monday, December 20, 2010 at 2:30 pm. Donny was born July 8, 1934 in Walkerton, Indiana to the late Forest and Blanche (Naragon) Blackford. Donny graduated from Clay High School in 1953, and served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959. On November 13, 1987, Donny married Joan Ashley in South Bend, Indiana.
Joan survives, along with his son, Shane A. (Carrie) Blackford of Gulf Breeze, Florida, and his daughter, Nikki R. (Dave) Simmons of Gilbert, Arizona, as well as his step-daughter, Joy (Mark) Vanator of South Bend, Indiana. Donny is survived as well by three grandchildren; Nolan, Alyssa, and Kylie, his brother Ronald "Duke" Blackford of Purcell, Oklahoma, and his sister, Marilyn Smith of South Bend, Indiana.
Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the 4:00 pm funeral services on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home with interment to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Donny was employed by Kuert Concrete for many years, where he was a member of the Teamster''s Union Local #364. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, and caring for animals, especially Boston Terriers. Donny had a tremendous sense of humor, and cherished his grandchildren. The family's preferred memorials are the Pet Refuge in Mishawaka, or Pet Connection in South Bend.
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