Racine – Surrounded by the love of his family, Donald S. Blackman, 87, passed away at home on Sunday, July 27, 2008. He was born in Davenport, Iowa on August 31, 1920, son of the late Carl and Mary (nee: Heisinger) Blackman. Donald proudly served in the South Pacific with the Army Air Corps during WWII. On December 28, 1946 he was united in holy matrimony to Elizabeth “Betty” Flood in Belmar, New Jersey. Shortly following his graduation from St. Ambrose College in 1949, Donald began his 32-year career with the JI Case Company, retiring in 1982. He was an active and faithful member of St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church. His passion was in volunteering for the benefit of the developmentally disabled. He served on the board of Directors, as President, and Treasurer for the Association for Retarded Children (The ARC); Treasurer for Country Crafts, a support group for Careers, Inc; and served as coordinator for the Country Crafts store in Downtown Racine. Don also was the historian for the Good Sam Camping Club; historian and treasurer of the local Dairyland Hobos Good Sam Club; enjoyed traveling 50 states; photography; playing cards and scrabble with his friends and family; gardening; woodworking, often giving his works as gifts to Toys-for-Tots, and area nursing homes. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty Blackman; their children, Stephen Blackman of Burlington, Roger Blackman of Reno, Nevada, Mary (Christopher) Johns of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Nancy (Jeffery) Konkol of Sturtevant, Alice (Cameron) Hahn of Spring Prairie, and Terry (Tom) Mikulecky of Caledonia; grandchildren, Eric Johns, Tracy Chiniewicz, Joshua Konkol, Natalie Konkol, Carson Konkol, Alexander Hahn, Elizabeth Hahn, Rebecca Hahn, Christopher Andersen, and Kelli Andersen; great-grandchildren, Zachary, Nicholas, and Rhiannon Chiniewicz; sister, Phyllis Matzen; as well as many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Blackman; and brother, Clarence Blackman. A funeral mass will be celebrated on August 1, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Church, 1509 Grand Ave, with Rev. Ron Gramza officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia. Memorials to Careers, Inc. Foundation, 3552 Douglas Avenue, Racine, WI 53402, have been suggested. The family would like to thank Dr. Douglas E. Puffer and his staff, and to everyone at Vitas Hospice for the kind and compassionate care given to Donald and his entire family.
Pat (Dybro) Webb says
Betty, I was sorry to learn of Don’s passing. In the mid-60’s I worked at St. Rose School with special children, in Marge Foster’s class. I was an active member of the Racine County Association for Retarded Children. I miss the children I worked with, the experiences made a difference in my life. You and Don worked diligently for the Association. Please express my sympathy to your family. Pat Webb