Myron Dean Blackford, known to all as simply Dean, Warsaw, passed away unexpectedly at home at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at the age of 87.

He was born on Jan. 20, 1933, in Mentone, one of 15 children born to Sarah Augusta Leah (Sievers) Blackford and Joseph Burdell Blackford. On Oct. 7, 1950, he was married to Barbara Ann (Rose) Blackford, who survives.

Dean lived in Marshall County, until 1949 before moving to the Kosciusko County area where he was a member of Community Bible Church in Warsaw. He was a 28-year employee of Uniroyal Inc. in Warsaw where he was the forklift operator. He loved going to work, his days were made better because he worked at Uniroyal with his lovely wife, Barbara and they retired together in 1995. Dean had many hobbies, he loved to fish and spent countless hours playing cards at Miller’s Merry Manor in Warsaw. He will be dearly missed by his family and the many friends he leaves behind.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Barbara Ann Blackford, Warsaw; son: Russell (Amber) Blackford, Leesburg; three daughters: Myra Kimball, Warsaw; Rhonda Cox, Warsaw; Kelly (David) Walker, Warsaw; 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Also, surviving are six sisters: Carol Baugher, Tippecanoe; Vi (Dr. Eugene) Ward, Argos; Sara (Ron) Kauffman, Etna Green; Nancy (Dick) Kreft, Tippecanoe; Rose (Ray) Harroff, Warsaw; and Helen McIntyre, Tippecanoe. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, three sisters, grandson, Russell B. Blackford, Jr., granddaughter, Tara L. Miller, and one great-grandson.

Dean’s life will be celebrated with a service at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw and officiated by Pastor Keith Rickert. Burial will follow with a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Memorial donations may be directed to Community Bible Church, 2947 S. County Farm Road Warsaw, IN 46580; or to the Alzheimer’s Support Group of Nappanee, 157 N. Main Street, Nappanee, Indiana 46550 and would be appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s Web Site at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com