William Lyle Blackburn

William Lyle “Doc” Blackburn, 86 years of age, was born March 14, 1931 in Wayne County, Kentucky a son of the late William Harrison Blackburn and Nancy Catherine (Dabney) Blackburn. After a brief illness he passed away March 18, 2017 in Elkhart, Indiana. Lyle had also resided in Winamac, Griffith, and New Castle, Indiana.


Lyle was a veteran of the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve; honorably serving in the Korean War and member of the VFW. He retired from Inland Steel of East Chicago, IN after 33 years, having received multiple awards and commendations for inventions, suggestions and safety awareness. He was active with and received accolades from REACT, Pulaski, County Civil Defense, American Heart Fund, American Red Cross and United Way. He was a member of several Pulaski County Commissions, receiving awards for County Outstanding Volunteer.

Lyle was a devoted Christian, husband, father and friend. He enjoyed camping, playing league baseball, was an avid euchre player, and devoted NASCAR fan. He loved spending time with friends, walking or sitting with his pets but family was his great joy. He loved coaching his daughter, Belinda, in softball and fishing with his son, Jeff, or spending time on the Tippecanoe River with grandchildren fishing or even skipping stones. Lyle loved Christ, his family, friends, co-workers and they loved him.


Lyle is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dica Bea (Carr) Blackburn; son, Jeffery Lyle Blackburn (Aletha); brother, Johnnie Blackburn (Phyllis); grandchildren, Christopher Loomis, Christian Loomis, Justus Loomis, Ericka Pass, Jada Pass, Keira Pass, Kerri Lopez, Anjelica Garcia, Kianna Piner, Adrian Piner, Hailee Blackburn and Jaxsyn Blackburn; eight step-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Lyle was preceded in death by his daughter, Belinda Sue Blackburn Guthrie; sisters, Ruby Marcum, Opal Shoate, Oralee O’Hara, Martha Groce, Josephine Goatcher; brothers, James “Shorty” Blackburn and Ray Blackburn.

Services will be at 1:00p.m. Saturday March 25, 2017 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Jon Thornburg officiating. Burial will follow in South Mound Cemetery with military rites conducted by the local American Legion/VFW and U.S. Air Force. Visitation will be from 11a.m. until time of service on Saturday. Memorial Contributions may be sent to; Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545; American Heart Association, 6100 West 96th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46278; and American Cancer Society, 5250 Vogel Rd, Suite A, Evansville, In 47715-7814. Condolences and memories of Lyle may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com .