Sarita Henry Blackard, 68, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sept. 22, 2011 after a long illness.

Sarita was born in Princeton Feb. 2, 1943.

She was raised in Evansville and graduated from Bosse High School. She had a degree in accounting. Mrs. Blackard worked for SIGECO for five years. She worked at First United Methodist Church in Fort Branch for 15 years before retiring in 1991 due to poor health.

Mrs. Blackard was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, a descendent of the Mayflower and a member of the Society of Indiana  Pioneers. She taught Sunday school, Bible school, sang in her church choir and was a member of the St. Lucas Adult Sunday School. She and her husband traveled extensively in the United States since the 1970s, having been in every state except Alaska and Hawaii.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Allen Blackard; a daughter and son-in-law, Suzan and David Straeffer of Fort Branch; a son and daughter-in-law. Jim and Lori Blackard of Princeton; two sisters, Nancy Bishop and LaDonna Upston; a brother, Richard Spain; a dear sister-inlaw, Rita Speedy; fie grandchildren, Amanda and Christopher Straeffer of Fort Branch, Aerial, Megan, and Kiana Blackard of Princeton; nephews and nieces, Tim and Angie Speedy and Jordan of Princeton, and Angie and Andy Collins and Lane and Kade of Princeton.

A life-long Christian, she was preceded in death by her Savior, Jesus Christ; her mother, Alma Kruse Henry Spain; her father, Ernest Lovedale Henry; a grandbaby Jamie Rae Blackard; her father-in-law, Kenneth Blackard; and her mother-in-law, Pauline Blackard Kiesel.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday. Sept. 26, 2011 at Stodghill Funeral Home in Fort Branch with Pastor John Heuman of the St. Lucas United Church of Christ officating. Burial will be at St. Lucas United Church of  Christ Cemetery in Fort Branch.