Dale E. Blackford

TIPPECANOE – Dale E. Blackford, 89, Tippecanoe, died at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 26, 2014, at his residence after being in failing health for nine months. He was born Sept. 24, 1925, in Kosciusko County, to Joseph and Sarah Sievers Blackford. On April 21, 1946, in Mentone, he married Beverly J. Lozier, who preceded him in death Feb. 1, 1990. On April 13, 1991, in Bourbon, he married Deloris Dunnuck Ellinger, who survives. He was the U.S. Postmaster at the Tippecanoe post office for 27 years starting in the early ‘60s. He graduated from Tippecanoe High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army in World War II, where he was a part of the 741st Engineer Base Equipment Company. He spent 18 months overseas in Guam and Hawaii. He was a lifetime member of the Tippecanoe Community Church, where he held numerous positions. He was a founding member of the Tippecanoe Volunteer Fire Department starting in 1961. He was longest serving member of any fire department in Marshall County. He was an instrumental part of starting the EMS service in Tippecanoe. Also surviving are three daughters: Marsha (and spouse Edward) Miller, Deborah Blackford and Lisa (and spouse Timothy) Kreft, all of Tippecanoe; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; six sisters: Carol Baugher, Helen McIntyre and Nancy (and spouse Richard) Kreft, all of Tippecanoe; Viola (and spouse Gene) Ward, Argos; Sarah (and spouse Ronald) Kauffman, Etna Green; and Rose (and spouse Ray) Harroff, Warsaw; a brother, Dean (and spouse Barbara Blackford), Warsaw; eight stepchildren: Denny, Kent, Stan, Ron and Roger Ellinger; Lisa Brannon; Christine Kitch; and Candy Sexton. He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Hepler, who died July 4, 2014; four brothers: Paul, Robert, Charles and William Blackford; three sisters: Pauline Blackburn, Kathyrn Montalbano and Mary Lozier. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Tippecanoe Community Church, 2940 Main St., Tippecanoe, with the Revs. Douglas Fritzel and George Shoemaker and Larrie Kreft officiating. Burial is in Tippecanoe Cemetery with military graveside rites. Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m.Tuesday and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church. ***** Memorials to Gideon’s International, the Center for Hospice of Plymouth or the Tippecanoe Volunteer Fire Department. Condolences may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com