Shirley Marie Rackeweg Blackburn, 91, Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, went home to be with the Lord at 10:55 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2015, after battling Alzheimer’s disease for 10 years.

She was born Nov. 29, 1923, in Breathitt County, Ky., to Tommy and Stella (Kelley) Williams.

She married Walter Rackeweg on July 16, 1941, in Pierceton. He died on Jan. 31, 1974. She married Lester Blackburn, Aug. 28, 1976, in Warsaw. He died June 15, 2009.

The former Warsaw resident came to Indiana when she was 12 years old. She was a homemaker, helped with farming and farm animals and later was a manager for a Burger Dairy Store where she enjoyed meeting the public.

Shirley attended Walnut Creek United Methodist Church; 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 Shirley. 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 that her family and friends will long remember. She often thanked her caretakers at Peabody Retirement Community and thought of them as her extended family.

She is survived by two daughters: Janet (Dave) Essig, Warsaw, and Deb Reed, Columbia City; one stepson, Burdell; three stepdaughters: Linda, Sue and DiAnne; five grandchildren: Todd Rackeweg, Charles City, Iowa; Eric Essig, Warsaw; Jason Essig, Fort Wayne; Sage Olah, Winchester, Va.; and Jessica Soto, Fort Wayne; seven great-grandchildren: Evan Essig, Jared Essig, Malise Olah, Creed Olah, Balen Olah, Olivia Soto and Ava Soto.

She was preceded in death by her husband, son, Larry Rackeweg on Fb. 22, 2008, and brother Charles Williams, Nov. 26, 1988.

Graveside services were held at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Pastor Sue Babovec, Peabody Retirement Community officiated.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6324 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.

To sign the electronic guestbook or leave online condolences, visit Titus Funeral Home’s website.