Seymour Tribune - February 2009 
Roy H. "Blackie" Blackwell Sr. 
1918 - 2009 
Roy H. "Blackie" Blackwell Sr., of Decatur, Ill., and formerly of Vallonia, passed away at 1:51 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Roy worked in tool and die at the Borg Warner Company. He retired in 1982 after 31 years of service. Roy loved antique cars, especially Model As. He was a member of the 60's Days Car Club and enjoyed going to car cruises all around Illinois.
Born Nov. 4, 1918, in Bloomington, he was the son of John Hurley and Eliza Jane Deckard Blackwell, both of whom preceded him in death. He married H. Rosella "Rose" Powell on Aug. 2, 1944, and she preceded him in death in May 1988. Survivors include his children, Sandy (Oliver) Hudson, Brownstown, Roy H. "Ray" (Marsha) Blackwell Jr. and Iver (Carol) Blackwell, both of Decatur, Ill., and Jerry (Gloria) Blackwell, Boody, Ill.; a daughter-in-law, Patty Mathews, Jewitt, Ill.; grandchildren, Jovi (Ralph) Caccavale, Darien, Ill., Marshall (Jerasu) Hudson, Seymour, David Blackwell and Peter Blackwell, both of Decatur, Ill., Jackie (Larry) Williams, Effingham, Ill., Kari (Bryan) Greer, Florence, S.C., Elizabeth (Shaun) Rooney, stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, Lisa (James) Matich, Niantic, Ill., Julie (Riley) Cox, Decatur, Ill., Jim Mathews, Patrick Mathews, Wilmer Mathews, Megan Berresford and Mandy Haga, Yvonne, James, David, Kathy and Bea Mathews, Mississippi, Patricia Reed, Columbia, Mo., Stephanie (Brian) Whaley, Hannibal, Mo., and Jennifer (Brett) Henry, LaCombe, La.; more than 25 great- grandchildren; and a family friend, John Thomas, Herrick, Ill.
He was preceded in death by brothers; sisters; two sons, Edward and Wilmer Mathews; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Dawson & Wikoff North Chapel on Highway 51, Decatur. 
Burial will take place at Graceland Cemetery in Decatur.
Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Salvation Army.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of Heartland of Decatur, Dr. Khan and the nurses at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Also, thanks for all the prayers and support of our friends. Dad was a very special person and was loved by all who knew him. We will miss him and his mischievous ways but never forget all the unconditional love he gave us.