Joseph E. Blackburn

Joseph E. Blackburn, age 96 died on Dec. 23, 2016. He was born on Nov. 13, 1920 in Spring Valley, Ark., to John H. and Gladys (Ecton) Blackburn. He graduated from Rogers High School in 1941 and spent 3 ½ years in the Army Air Corp, during WW2, where he graduated from the Curtiss Wright Technical Institute in Glendale, Calif. He worked 26 years for Steele Canning Co. in Lowell and 14 years for Union Carbide in Rogers before retiring. He was a lifetime resident of Northwest Arkansas and a member of the Sunnyside Baptist Church for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jennieve Landrum Blackburn, his parents and five sisters. He was survived by five nieces and one nephew and special friends, Joe and Laureen Friesen. Services will be held at the Rollins Funeral Home with visitation prior to the service at 10 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2015. A private burial will be beside his beloved wife in the Rogers Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rogers Animal Shelter or Hospice of NW Arkansas. Online condolences can be made at www.rollinsfuneral.com.