Fred L. Blackford, 98, of Olney, IL, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 in Olney.  Fred was born on October 2, 1920 in Olney, IL, the son of Earnest and Jennie (Clark) Blackford.

Fred graduated from Olney High School in 1938 (sic) where he played basketball and softball, developing a lifelong love of sports.  He married Louise Steidner on November 11, 1942 in St. Charles, MO.

Fred was a cable splicer for nine years for the telephone company, traveling all over Illinois.  He was a softball catcher, playing at every opportunity in Albion, Carmi, Olney, Richmond, and other Illinois towns.  Finishing a job in Olney in 1951, Fred and Louise were tired of traveling so he quit the telephone company and joined CIPS as a tree trimmer.  Fred remained with CIPS until his retirement in 1982.  He then purchased a stump grinder and when not painting, meeting people, or hunting rabbits, he was around Olney removing stumps.

Fred was a 63-year member of the Olney ELKS Lodge 926.  He bowled on the traveling team, played in and helped with the annual golf fund raiser, helped with the Easter Egg hunt, and helped the lodge in whatever manner possible.  He was ELK of the year in 1990.  Fred was an avid Cubs baseball fan and was thrilled to see the Cubs win the World Series.  He had a soft spot for kids and often, when on the job in various towns, would take kids to the store to buy Christmas items.  He bought a tree, mostly clothes, and a toy.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Sherman, his sisters Opal Stivers and Elsia Clark.  He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Louise, and numerous nieces and nephews.

It is requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Hospice of Southeastern Illinois.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at the Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM.  Burial will follow in Haven Hill Memorial Gardens.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney obituary & photo – July 18, 2019