Oliver Blackburn

Oliver A. Blackburn, age 92 of Mt. Vernon, died Sunday March 10, 2013, at the Mt. Vernon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born August 19, 1920, in Posey County, the son of Allen and Carrie (Oliver) Blackburn. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Laveta Bottomley.

Oliver was a graduate of the former Wadesville High School. He retired from the Countrymark Refinery after 38 years. He was a WWII Army veteran. During WWII he took part in the invasion of Europe. As a staff sergeant and chief of Firing Battery, he served in the battles of Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, Central Europe and the Ardennes. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and five battle stars. He was a member of Posey County Chapter 36 Disabled American Veterans and had served as commander, the Owen Dunn Post #5 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6576. He enjoyed his time at coffee with his friends at McDonalds. He was an active member of the Mt. Vernon General Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Laveta; a son, Richard A. (Nancy Whyms) Blackburn; a daughter, Sharon Lynn (Robert) Nunes; four grandsons, Richard Alan (Becky) Blackburn, Erik Oliver (Michelle) Blackburn, Ian and Nathan Nunes; two great-grandson, Riley Alan and Reece Delmar Blackburn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Lawrence and Archie Blackburn and one sister, Dorothy Blackburn.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at the Stendeback Family Funeral Home at 1330 E. 4th St., Mt. Vernon with Rev. Matt Watson officiating. Burial will be in Bellefontaine Cemetery with military graveside rites by Owen Dunn Post #5. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at stendebackfamilyfuneral home.com.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mt. Vernon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their kindness and attention.