Ernest C. Blackburn “loved the Lord” Ceres, PA---Ernest C. “Ernie” Blackburn, 77, of Ceres, PA, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009 in Select Specialty Hospital, Erie, PA, after a long illness. Born April 1, 1932 in Huddy, Kentucky, he was a son of Andrew J. and Nolleaka Meadows Blackburn. On November 18, 1977 in Bay Shore, NY, he married Joyce M. Gildersleeve, who survives. Mr. Blackburn was a graduate of Belfry High School in Kentucky. He was a U.S. Navy veteran having served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1954 attaining the rank of Yeoman third class. He retired from the Long Island Railroad where he was employed as a yardmaster. After his retirement, he and his wife moved to Ceres, PA where he did handyman work for many years. He served as a real estate agent for Rocking Horse Realty in Smethport until the time of his death. Mr. Blackburn was a member and head usher of Grace Bible Independent Baptist Church in Shinglehouse. He loved his church. He went on several mission trips within the country and out of the country. He worked on the Seedline Scripture Ministry of the church which is assembling portions of the books of John and Romans for use by missionaries worldwide. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, and working in his garage. Surviving besides his wife are four children: Michael (Jeanne) Pennypacker of Glennville, NY, David (Carol) Blackburn of Hasting, NY, Sheryl (Joe) Jackson of Winter Haven, Florida, and Patricia (Mark) Cottrill of West Monroe, NY; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four brothers, Burl (Ruth) Blackburn of Hurricane, WV, Charles (Mary Jane) Blackburn of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Ed (Doreen) Blackburn of McMinnville, Oregon, and Joe (Nancy) Blackburn of Hardy, Kentucky; one sister, Ruth Maynard of Grundy, Virginia; one aunt, Joyce Agnes of Scott Depot, WV; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Blackburn was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Sandra Blackburn; a brother, Gerald Blackburn; a sister and brother-in-law, Madalyne and Richard Crandall. Friends are invited to call on Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grace Bible Independent Baptist Church, 392 Coon Crossing Road, Shinglehouse, where funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Roger N. Hain, pastor, and the Rev. Mark Smith, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, Westville, Indiana, officiating. Committal services and burial will be held in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse. Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord full military honors on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grace Bible Independent Baptist Church Building Fund or the Seedline Scripture Ministry, 392 Coon Crossing Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.