William Blackburn

Born on October 15, 1916. Survived by his wife Catherine Jean Plitt Blackburn; children Cathy (Dean) Rebuffoni of Minneapolis; Bill (Nancy) of Shorewood; Janet (Peter) Fried of Lisle; Jim (Diane) of Shorewood; Candi (Ted) Ficken of Salem, OR; John (Cindy) of Joliet; Dennis (Julie) of Joliet; Judy (Roger) Kreig of Morris; Carol (Patrick O'Conner) of Minneapolis; Jeff (Faye) of Tampa FL; seventeen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Preceded in death by his parents George and Anna (nee McGowan) Blackburn; and one brother George.

Bill spent more than 50 years working for the Joliet Herald News, starting as a paperboy and retiring as a publisher and editor in 1982. Besides work and family, he was committed to his community, serving as president of the Joliet Lions Club; Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce; United Crusade of Will County; Joliet Regional Hospital Development. He was a captain in the US Army and he served in the European Theater during WWII.

At William's request cremation rites were accorded.

Donations can be made to Harbor Lights Hospice, 800 Roosevelt Rd., Building C, Suite 206, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 12:00/Noon. Inurnment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville. Visitation will be Saturday from 10-12/Noon.