Robert E. Blake

Robert E. Blake, 87, of Washington Court House, Ohio peacefully passed away Friday, July 20, 2018, at 11:20 p.m. at his home and is alive now in heaven.

Bob was born March 16, 1931, in Chicago, IL to Asa Austin and Cressie Mae Cassill Blake. He was a 1951 graduate of McArthur High School in Vinton County, Ohio.

Before his retirement in 1993, he worked in the shipping department at Armco for 38 years.

Bob was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and had served on the administrative board and nominating committees and he had served as an usher for many years. He was a longtime member of the Aldersgate Sunday school class and had served as its president. After his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering for numerous projects at the church.

He was a United States Air Force Veteran of the Korean Conflict; received special training at Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK and served with the Strategic Air Command at McDill and Lockbourne Air Force Bases and flew TDY's to England and Texas. He was an Honor Flight participant on September 6, 2014. He was a loyal Miami Trace High School and Ohio State University sports fan. Bob especially appreciated the Fayette County Health Department staff whom he saw on a weekly visit. He particularly enjoyed McDonald's coffee time with his friends and Bob and Ann were devoted to their children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, George, Ray and Bill Blake and four sisters, Grace Blake, Ruth Rutter, Mary Ann Yates and Irene Calvin.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, the former E. Ann James whom he married May 17, 1952, in Tulsa, Oklahoma; a son, Robert Jeffery Blake and his wife, Jacqueline, of Worthington; a daughter, Julie Blake Mark and her husband, Alan, of Washington Court House; six grandchildren, Andrew Blake and his wife, Kim, Natalie Blake, Chad Mark and his wife, April, Joel Robert Mark and his wife, Olivia, Adam Mark and his wife, Lindsey, and Sara Mark Hammond and her husband, Mark. Grandpa Bob adored his 11 great grandchildren, Kendall and Griffin Robert Blake, Drew, Ryan and Brett Robert Mark, Cecilia and Lyla Mark, Sydney and Caleb Mark and Troy and Ethan Hammond. Bob is also survived by his wife's sisters and their families and numerous nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be Saturday, July 28, 2018, at 12 Noon at the Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joe Fox, pastor at the church, officiating. A military flag service will immediately follow. Private burial will be at a later date in the Bloomingburg Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the service. A time of food and fellowship, in the fellowship hall at the church, will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, Bob's wishes were for memorial contributions to be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, 301 East Market Street or Ohio's Hospice of Fayette County, 222 North Oakland Avenue, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160. The family gives a special thank you and much admiration for the care given to Bob by Ohio's Hospice of Fayette County.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.

www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome