Photo courtesy of Clark O'Neal Funeral Home Inc. - South Bend CLOSED
Feb 14, 1909 - Apr 1, 2012
His actions of God fearing, family devotion, friendship, giving, Love, kindness, work, spirit, friendship, home and community spoke for itself and all that knew him were welcome to share it... Love Dad always and forever. Thanks. Bigboy.
Hardie Blake Jr
February 17, 2025 | South Bend, IN | Son
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Special hugs to you, Dorine, my friend...although it has been a long time since we have seen each other, you are often in my thoughts, and especially so now.
Pam (Krauser) Vargas
April 12, 2012 | Kempton, PA
Dear Sharon and the entire Blake Family. It is never easy loosing a love one. You all and mom are in our prayers and we ask the Lord to take you through and give you strength in this time of grief. Love you, Hilda and Mother Jennings
Hilda Jennings-Phillips and Mother Olafay Jennings
April 10, 2012 | Kalamazoo, MI
Our sincere sympathies, tempered with the hope we share in Jesus Christ. May He be present in this loss for your comfort and hope!
Jim & Karen Nichols
April 09, 2012 | Portland, IN
Much Love and prayers to the entire Blake family. Our Mississippi roots run deep and we are close friends today. I remember being told as a little girl that my grandparents and your grandparents were friends in Mississippi and continued to remain friends in South Bend. Today as you celebrate the well lived life of your beloved father, we shall always remember his handsome smile, and be comforted by the fact that he loved you all. He was a proud husband, father and a great provider. ...
Annie Daniels,the Miller Family, South Bend, Ind..
April 07, 2012 | Seattle, WA
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ricky & Brenda House
April 07, 2012 | Delaware, OH
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Charles & Diane Harris
April 07, 2012 | South Bend, IN
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Although its difficult to see beyond the sorrow,may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
Snowy & Denise Boyd
April 06, 2012 | South Bend, IN
To The Blake Family our hearts go out to your family in this time of grief.Your father seemed like a wonderful man and a great teacher looking at the successes of his children.May God Bless you all and to continue the legacy of your father's name in good faith.Keep your heads up and be strong for the Lord walks with you.Love you Bernice@Family Darcel Birton-Rogers&Marlene Freeman
Darcel Birton
April 06, 2012 | Kokomo, IN
Mr. Hartie Blake Sr., affectionately known as "Cummins," 103 years old, entered into eternal rest at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at his home. He was born on February 14, 1909 to the late Robert and Louella Avant in Como, Mississippi.
On December 23, 1939, he was united in marriage to Louise (Owens) Blake, who survives. Mr. Blake moved to South Bend, Indiana, with his wife, Louise and five children, in 1946. Mr. Blake's employment history included the Studebaker Corporation, Cummins, and Allied Products-South Bend Stamping. He retired from Allied Products at the age of 77 in 1987. Shortly after he retired he started his own lawn service and mowed lawns until the age of 100.
Mr. Blake leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Louise at home; six sons: Bemis, Pastor Hardie Jr. (Perl), David (Ruth) Fred, all of South Bend; Walter of Westfield, Indiana and Robert Blake of West Hollywood, California; 10 daughters: Varner Johnson of Memphis, Tennessee, Emmer Caldwell of South Holland, Illinois, Creasie (Ulysses) White of Chicago, Illinois, Bernice Baul-Freeman, Gladys Muhammad (Alfonza Ward), all of South Bend, Bessie Dickson of Gary, Indiana, Dorine Blake-Smith, Sharon (Pastor Calvin) Macon, Jessie (John) Whitaker and Forestine (A.D.) Jackson, all of South Bend. 51 grandchildren; 86 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren; a special nephew, Hubert Lee Owens Jr., a special cousin, Minnie Lee Clark, a brother-in-law, Dell Owens, four sisters-in-law, Annie Blake of Memphis, Myra Barnes of Mishawaka, Indiana, Early (Hobert) Shelton of Edwardsburg, Michigan, and Edna "Dolly" Cobb of Tampa, Florida; other "special" relatives include, nephews, Meridith Jay Polk of Inglewood, California and Cornelius Lottie; a niece, Lucille Barnes, and Charles Hammond, all of South Bend.
Along with his parents he was also preceded in death by one daughter, Louise Lewis, siblings, Melissa Blake, Fannie Blake, Lillian Love, Johnella "Bay" Clemons, Reverend Napoleon "Buck" Blake, Albert "Bo" Blake, Nezzie Blake, Ludie Blake, and Henry Blake; two sons-in-law, Herbert Smith and Ellis Caldwell; a daughter-in-law, Geraldine (Townsend) Blake; a grandson, Leon Johnson, a great-grandson, Lionel Caldwell Jr., and mother-in-law, Lue Creasie Blake.
Mr. Blake loved the Lord and it was reflected in his daily living. His secret to longevity was daily talks with the "Man Upstairs" reading the Bible and staying away from doctors. He loved his family and after he retired he would get up early in the morning and ride by the homes of each and every one of his children living in South Bend; he didn't stop in, he just rode by to make sure things looked okay on the outside. His love for his children was so strong that he promised them that all that God didn't give them, he and their mama would. Mr. Blake loved being busy and was always on the move; on the first of the month he would drive what he called "old people" around to take care of their business. He enjoyed gardening, and yard work. He stopped driving and shoveling snow at the age of 99. Up until October of 2011 his daily exercise was sweeping the parking lot at Louie's Tux Shop on Lincoln Way.
A story completed; a page turned; a life well lived-a rest well earned!
Visitation for Hartie Blake Sr. will be held on Friday, April 6, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home Inc., 2702 Lincoln Way West. Funeral Services will take place on Saturday, April 7, 2012, in Faith Apostolic Ministries, 935 N. Bendix Drive. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. and services at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.
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