Obituary of Ronnie Dale Blackwell
Ronnie Dale Blackwell
Age 75, of Essex, IL passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family, Tuesday, April 5, 2022. He was born July 21, 1946, in Louisiana, Missouri to the late Ima Jean (Kilby) Spencer and Carl Blackwell.
He is the beloved husband of 52 years to Alicia (Gilbreath) Blackwell; loving father to son Jason and wife Sandy Blackwell of Wahoo, NE; daughter, Stacie Blackwell of Morris, IL; three grandchildren, Cameron and Alyvia Blackwell of Morris, IL; Frances Blackwell of Wahoo, NE; and one great-granddaughter, Nora Woita of Wahoo, NE. Ronnie is also survived by his dear stepmother, Delores Blackwell of Bowling Green, MO.
Preceded in death by his father and mother as well as his brother, Ricky Blackwell.
Ronnie was an amazing man with a breadth of experience, knowledge, and wisdom. He was a man of many talents who loved to be outdoors and working “in the dirt”. He will be remembered by friends for his operating engineering skills, retiring from, and as a member of Operating Engineers Local 150 Union in Joliet, IL. Ronnie served his country proudly in the United States Air Force during Vietnam and was a life-long member of the VFW. Ronnie was a Grand Mason who served his communities charitable events and brothers nationwide. He was an exceptional outdoorsman and hunter proudly sharing his knowledge of nature, ballistics, and conservation with zeal and pride. A historian and geologist at heart, he collected native American tools, weapons, pottery; could talk for hours on the geological formations across the United States. Above and beyond anything, he was a man of God and loved his family and friends fiercely. Ronnie was the consummate friend entertaining all with fantastic stories, hilarious characters and always providing laughter and love throughout. He never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who came to know him.
Memorial services and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 07, 2022, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at Grassy Creek Baptist Church, 16935 Hwy YY, Louisiana, MO 63353.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name can be made to the Shriner’s Children's Hospital.
For more information please call (815) 942-5040 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
