Marlin Blackburn, 96, of Shelbyville, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, after a lengthy illness.
Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2022 at First Church of the Nazarene in Shelbyville with Rev. Andy Keffer and Rev. Ron DeWitt officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m.
Marlin was born on April 13, 1926, to I.V. and Euless Blackburn of Poplin’s Crossroads (Unionville). He left school to join the Navy during World War II, serving on the USS Dupage, an attack transport ship, during multiple campaigns in the South Pacific. His ship was attacked and crippled by a Kamikazi attack during the battle for the Philippines where several other members of his gun crew were killed.
He returned after the war to marry his wife of 71 years, Dorothy Marie Hooker Blackburn on September 29, 1950 in Rossville, Georgia. Marlin retired after a long career as a carpenter and home builder here in Shelbyville where he built numerous custom built homes. Marlin enjoyed working in the yard, building projects for his family, relaxing in the mountains and never, ever, passed up a chance to sit in one of his swings.
Marlin is survived by wife, Marie; brother, Harold Pete Blackburn of Unionville; son, Myron (Lisa) Blackburn of Murfreesboro; and daughter, Marlene (Blake) Cartwright of Shelbyville. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Justin Ryan Gordon (Ashley), Jody Martin Gordon, and Bud Cartwright; one great-granddaughter, Aubrey Raine Gordon’ and one very special caregiver, Beverly Pierce.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Shelbyville First Nazarene Church.
Doak-Howell Funeral Home is serving the family.
www.doakhowellfuneralhome.com
