Wayne Charles Blackburn, 98, died Sunday, November 22, 2009 at his home due to age. He resided at 117 East 100 South in Loa, Utah at the time of his death.


He was born March 3, 1911, the ninth of fourteen children born to Heber C. and Louisa Taylor Blackburn.


When Wayne was eleven years old his mother died and some of the children were helped and raised by other families in the area. One thing Wayne was proud of was being the grandson of Patriarch Elias Hicks Blackburn. Wayne married Annie Ione Nelson on June 27, 1933 in the Manti LDS Temple.


He was an active member of the Loa Ward and served in various callings, Wayne and Ione served as ordinance workers in the Manti Temple for eight years and also a mission at Cove Fort. They always grew extra large vegetable and flower gardens that they shared with neighbors, friends and family. Wayne raised cattle, sheep and turkeys and had many stories to tell the grandchildren about raising potatoes. He always had time for the little children to gather eggs from the chickens coop. Some of the memories fondest to the family are the times spent at the sheep herd with Grandpa.


Wayne and Ione were custodians for the Wayne School District for over forty years and then also at the County Courthouse, retiring at the age of eighty. Wayne was a joy to be with and could get you to laugh with his keen sense of humor. Wayne was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in basketball, baseball, and wrestling.


He is survived by his children Charles (Janee) Blackburn of Loa; Ila (Shyrl) Brown of Richfield; Kay (Candice) Blackburn of St. George; and Jerry (Esther) Blackburn of Loa; twenty-one grandchildren; seventy-four great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sister Elda Ellett; and brother Lewis (Donna) Blackburn. He was preceded in death by his wife Ione, a great-grandson Keltson Blackburn, and eleven brothers and sisters.


Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Loa Stake Center, where friends and family can gather on Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Burial will be in the Loa Cemetery.
Published in the Deseret News on November 25, 2009.