Shirley Marie Rackeweg Blackburn, 91, North Manchester and formerly of Warsaw, went to be with the Lord at 10:55 p.m. May 23, 2015, in Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, after battling Alzheimer’s disease for 10 years. She was born Nov. 29, 1923, in Breathitt County, Ky., to Tommy and Stella Kelley Williams. On July 16, 1941, in Pierceton, she married Walter Rackeweg, who died Jan. 31, 1974. On Aug. 28, 1976, in Warsaw, she married Lester Blackburn, who died June 15, 2009. She came to Indiana when she was 12 years old. She was a homemaker and helped with farming and farm animals. She later was a manager for a Burger Dairy store, where she enjoyed meeting the public. She attended Walnut Creek United Methodist Church. She was a very good cook and was able to prepare a meal for the farm hands on short notice. Family and family time were most important to her. She was a wonderful mother and great wife. She cherished the times with her grandsons, Todd, Eric and Jason, and her granddaughters, Sage and Jessica. During the 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s, she showed her faith and gentleness which her family and friends will long remember. She often thanked her caretakers at Peabody Retirement Community and thought of them as her extended family. Surviving are two daughters, Janet (and spouse Dave) Essig, Warsaw, and Deb Reed, Columbia City; five grandchildren: Todd Rackeweg, Charles City, Iowa; Eric Essig, Warsaw; Jason Essig and Jessica Soto, both of Fort Wayne; Sage Olah, Winchester, Va.; seven great-grandchildren: Evan and Jared Essig; Malise, Creed and Balen Olah; Olivia and Ava Soto; one stepson, Burdell; three stepdaughters: Linda, Sue and Di Anne. She was also preceded in death by a son, Larry Rackeweg, who died Feb. 22, 2008; and a brother, Charles Williams, who died Nov. 26, 1988. A private graveside service was at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with Pastor Sue Babovec, Peabody Retirement Community, officiating. ***** Memorials to Alzheimers Association, 6324 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
