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Author: chastain
35

Danny Joe BlackwellPassing: January 31, 2024

Service:

Mitchell First Baptist Church

Celebration of Life

Sunday, February 4th @ 3:00pm

Visitation:

Mitchell First Baptist Church

Sunday, February 4th @ 1:30pm-3:00pm

Cemetery:

No Burial

BEDFORD – Danny Joe Blackwell, 77, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Indiana University Health Bedford Hospital.

Born July 7, 1946, in Mitchell, he was the son of Ernest and Lucille (Luttrell) Blackwell.  He married his neighbor, classmate, and best friend, Ruthanne Flinn on October 31, 1964 and she survives.  They were married over 59 years.

Danny was a 1964 graduate of Mitchell High School.  He retired from Lehigh Cement Company after 42 years.  Danny was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran of the Vietnam War, a member of American Legion Post No. 250, and active in the Honor Guard.  He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 228 F.&A.M.  Danny was a member of the Mitchell First Baptist Church and a member of Gideons International.  He served on the board as President for the White River Humane Society.  Danny was an avid sports fan; especially Indiana University football and basketball.  He loved his family, friends, and the 42 years spent at Lehigh.  He always loved his weekly dinners with his classmates.  Danny loved life, people, and meeting new people.  You never saw him without a smile.  He will truly be missed.

Surviving are his wife, Ruthanne Blackwell of Bedford; son, Danny J. (Shelly) Blackwell of Mitchell; grandchildren, Danny Joe (Jamie) Blackwell II of Denver, Colorado, Zachary Blackwell of Naples, Florida, Taylor (Elijah Frank) Blackwell of Bedford, McKenzi (Kyle) Blackwell of Bloomington, and Kennedy Abel of Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Daisy, Indie, Effie, Lottie, and Wren; brother and sister-in-law, Jay and Janet Fiddler of Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and siblings, Leon Blackwell, Jack Blackwell, Bob Blackwell, and Shirley Sloan, preceded him in death.

Celebration of Life service will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 4, at the Mitchell First Baptist Church with Reverend Reggie Clark, Reggie Joslin, and Pastor Travis Inman officiating.  Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until the service on Sunday at the First Baptist Church.

Memorial Donations:  White River Humane Society or American Lung Association

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35 Guest Comments

  1. Guest: Lisa Buck Tincher | Orleans, IN
    Date: February 7, 2024
    So very sorry for your loss. Love and prayers for all.
  2. Guest: Linda (Bex) Lasey | bedford
    Date: February 5, 2024
    So sorry to hear of Danny"s passing. I know he was the love of your life. am praying for you and the family. take care and may God Bless Always
  3. Guest: Cathy and Ron Blackwell | Williams, IN
    Date: February 4, 2024
    So sorry about the passing of Danny. He was one of the kindest people and best friend anybody could ask for, He was always there for everybody and was a positive role model for his church family and friends. We will miss you.
  4. Guest: Richard Morales | Bedford indiana
    Date: February 4, 2024
    Thank you for opening your heart and home to myself and my kids for many years especially Thanksgiving that was our favorite holiday for us to come visit...fly high uncle Dan love always. Rick & Kids Morales
  5. Guest: Cherie kinder robertson | Mitchell In
    Date: February 4, 2024
    Ruthanne, I am so sorry about Danny. You have many years of good memories to console you. He was a good man.
  6. Guest: Eppo | Mitchell, Indiana
    Date: February 4, 2024
    Danny was one of my three best friends I have been blessed to have had in my life. We worked together in Lehigh for about 25 years. Trustworthy, exceptionally professional, great people-person respected by everyone, made hard decisions successfully, ALWAYS pleasant regardless of the situation, a fellow veteran, and my best friend. Working with Danny made my job so much easier and enjoyable. We occasionally went fishing in the Gulf of Mexico together. Danny and Ruthann have always been outstanding supporters of the Humane Society. In one trip to the Gulf, when we were returning to the dock from way out in the water, he and I started watching a little bird about ten feet behind the boat struggling mightily to keep flying. As we watched the bird, Danny said to the bird “come to me and you will live”. Danny put his hand out showing his pointer finger as a perch. The bird flew up and landed on his finger. The bird knew Danny loved it. It flew off his finger when we were a couple hundred yards from the dock. In another trip we came back from way out in the Gulf through a huge black-cloud storm with 12-15 foot waves. Everyone was seeing what we ate for breakfast and lunch crawling on our knees. When we’re tied up at the dock, we both literally knelt down and kissed the ground. Every couple days a week, Danny would send me a verse from the Bible with a meditation and a prayer at the end. Danny, being Danny, brought me closer to God. A couple days ago, I went to visit Danny at Stonebridge (rehabilitation facility). After Ruthann left to go home, Danny and I spoke together alone for about an hour, laughing, and talking about fond memories. As I was leaving, he said to me “I’m TIRED”. That’s the last thing I heard him say. When I heard Danny had passed, I cried uncontrollably. Danny was my dear friend! I LOVE you, Danny❣ I hope and pray we will meet again! Eppo
  7. Guest: Jeffrey & Diane Stone | Eau Claire, Wisconsin
    Date: February 3, 2024
    So sorry for your family at this difficult time. Danny was an incredible man and friend. I had a very prosperous career at Lehigh, which Danny was a great part of. I will always be thankful to have been able to call him my friend. Prayers for the family continue. God bless, Jeff Stone
  8. Guest: Nate Blackwell | Frisco, Tx
    Date: February 3, 2024
    Love and prayers to Ruthanne and all of the family. Danny Joe will always be remembered with such love and kindness.
  9. Guest: Karin Dobson | Jacksonville, NC
    Date: February 3, 2024
    Ruthann,so sorry to hear of Dan passing sending prayers for you all.Karin Dobson
  10. Guest: Mike and Rita Ball Ramey | Bedford, IN 47421
    Date: February 3, 2024
    Always enjoyed Danny, he was good to all my uncles, cousins and my dad throughout the years at Lehigh. Our prayers are with you and your family Ruth Ann. We will see you in the neighborhood. Mike and Rita
  11. Guest: Roy and Marcia Sage | Orleans, Ind
    Date: February 3, 2024
    So sorry Ruth Ann for your loss. Prayers for you and family. Roy and I thought a lot of Danny . He was always smiling.
  12. Guest: Tony & Diane Nugent | Mitchell
    Date: February 3, 2024
    Thank You for Your Service and All the Good Deeds You done for everyone. Fly High.
  13. Guest: Kay Conner | Bedford IN
    Date: February 3, 2024
    Danny was such a good neighbor. He never failed to speak with me. I always appreciated that. Hugs and prayers to Ruthanne. Danny will be missed.
  14. Guest: Greta Blackwell Ferraz | Naples, Florida
    Date: February 3, 2024
    I have so many memories of my Uncle. He has been there for me like no other. He is sadly missed. To my Aunt Ruthanne, you were blessed with so many years together, may you find peace. I love you both so much.
  15. Guest: Dena Fortner | Bloomington, IN
    Date: February 3, 2024
    I have so many wonderful memories filled with fun and laughter with Danny and Ruthann. My heart goes out to you — you two were the perfect couple. You always said you wanted to go first because you couldn’t stand the thought of going on without him. It’s all so sad. Danny was such a good guy — he will be sorely missed. Everyone that knew him loved him. I love you Ruthann. I wish I had the words to make you feel better. God be with you.
  16. Guest: Dena Fortner | Bloomington, IN
    Date: February 3, 2024
    I have so many wonderful memories filled with fun and laughter. My heart goes out to Ruthann — they were the perfect couple. Ruthann always said she wanted to go first because she couldn’t stand the thought of going on without him. It’s all so sad. Danny was such a good guy — he will be sorely missed. Everyone that knew him loved him. I love you Ruthann. God will see you through this.
  17. Guest: Sandalee Jeffries | Mitchell
    Date: February 3, 2024
    I’m so sorry to hear of Danny’s passing. My sincere condolences to Ruthanne and family.
  18. Guest: Martha Sue Robison | Mitchell, Indiana
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Our friendship to Danny and Ruthanne goes back to our childhood in school. We were also neighbors on Pleasant View Drive. In the last few years we all have been together on Wednesday evenings when the MHS 1964 classmates met at local restaurants. We on "this side" will miss Danny, but those on the "other side" are going to welcome him. Love you, Danny and Ruthanne.
  19. Guest: Susan Vogel | Thornton , CO
    Date: February 2, 2024
    I never came to Mitchell without making sure I saw Ruthanne and Danny. They both are a symbol of God’s love. Danny always had a smile on his face and made everyone feel blessed from seeing him. We will all miss him.
  20. Guest: Dave & Deanna Sumpter | Bedford, IN
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Ruthanne and family, so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
  21. Guest: Steve Tindalll | Crossville Tn
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Ruthanne , My Love, and respect to you May all prayers for you and your family guide you through this time of sorrow It was always a delight to be with you and Danny. My Love to you Sis~ Praying for God's Comfort
  22. Guest: William Burgess | Seymour. IN
    Date: February 2, 2024
    So sorry to hear of Danny's passing. Prayers of peace and love to Ruthanne and the family. Your bond of love is forever..
  23. Guest: William Burgess | Seymour, Indiana
    Date: February 2, 2024
    So sorry to hear of Danny's passing. May his bond of love and his faith in his Savior give the family assurance and peace⁰ that he rests in the presence of his Lord. Prayers for Ruthanne and the family.
  24. Guest: Suzi Connell Wilson | Bedford, IN
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Danny always had a smile and a laugh for JA and me. He will be missed. He was a really good guy. So very sorry.
  25. Guest: Neysa Brooks Mitchell | Bedford, IN
    Date: February 2, 2024
    So sorry Ruth Ann for this loss, for yourself, family and friends...in my thoughts and prayers.
  26. Guest: BRENT & CARLA GEARY | Lake Wales, FL
    Date: February 2, 2024
    RUTHANNE AND FAMILY SO SORRY TO HEAR OF DANNY'S PASSING. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. CARLA AND BRENT GEARY
  27. Guest: Bob Connell | Mitchell, Indiana
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Ruthanne and family-am sorry for your loss. The two of you were always a pleasure to talk with whenever we would meet. God Bless!
  28. Guest: Gerald Mullis | Freeport
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Danny and Ruthanne were classmates, great friends, and just wonderful people. Danny and Ruthanne have remained in my prayers for many years. I will miss not being able to see him at one of those weekly Class of 64 get togethers when I'm next back in Indiana. He was a great patriot, Christian, and family man. Always smiling. In the arms of Jesus now, and still smiling.
  29. Guest: Larry G Kidwell | Bedford
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Ruthann and family Sorry for your loss Larry & Judy
  30. Guest: Michelle Henderson | Lexington, Kentucky
    Date: February 2, 2024
    My heart and prayers go out to you all
  31. Guest: Cheryl Wood | Mitchell
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Ruthanne--I wish I had better words of wisdom and comfort for you. You were always a favorite of Alan's who had many warm memories of when you two were younger. You two set the standard when you got married showing those of us who married later what true commitment and love looked like. Keep family and friends close to walk you through what comes next. I love you dearly.
  32. Guest: Joe Goldsby | Mitchell, indiana
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Thank you being a good friend for all of these years. We had good times in Allentown,Pa. and going to night school at IU with you and Nub Johnson. I’ll always remember you telling me if something went wrong at Lehigh you would come to the quarry and say”Joseph we’ve got to talk.” Thank you for standing by me for my 42 1/2 years at Lehigh. I’ll miss you my friend.
  33. Guest: Alan & Karen Chase | Bedford
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Ruthanne & family. You couldn’t ask for a better man, his love of family, his country, his faith & compassion. He will be sadly missed💙
  34. Guest: Todd Clark | Laguna Niguel, California
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Sorry for your lose
  35. Guest: Herman & LaVona Donica | Tavares, Fl
    Date: February 2, 2024
    Oh how we will miss our dear friend Danny. Our next door neighbors in Florida for several years. Remember our watching 🏀games of course IU and going to church together and eating out. And by the way you falling in the Marina😃Thanks for the memories. Ruthanne and Danny J you were blessed with the best. Prayers and our love with you.

Phone: (812) 849-2600 | Fax: (812) 849-3323 | email: services@chastainfuneralhome.com

Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center