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In Memoriam

Robert Pershing "Per" Blackledge - Class Of 1935

Robert Pershing "Per" Blackledge, son of Frank Stanley (1891-1971) and Hazel Fay (Gates) (1894-1991) Blackledge, was born 20 May 1918, Farwell, Clare County, Michigan.  Per's father was Superintendent of the Okemos School, before consolidation, around 1918.  Per graduated in 1935 from Okemos High School.  He married Edythe May Smith 25 September 1937.  Edythe graduated from Okemos High in 1936 and was class valedictorian.

Per and Edythe lived in the Laingsburg, Shiawassee County, Michigan area for over 50 years.  Per worked for the Laingsburg school system and was an avid Wolfpack sports enthusiast.  He was for many years football and basketball scorekeeper at Laingsburg.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Saturday 11 November 1995

LAINGSBURG

BLACKLEDGE FIRST WALL HONOREE

Robert "Per" Blackledge will be the first person to be recognized on the new Laingsburg High School Wall of Fame to be unveiled at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The special ceremonies will take place at the high school cafetorium, 8008 Woodbury Road.  Blackledge, a long-time resident of Laingsburg, was nominated and approved by the school board.

He is a former school bus driver, has kept the stats for the boys basketball games since 1960, started a youth bowling league in 1962, was a varsity foot ball scorekeeper for 26 years, has been girls basketball scorekeeper for the past 14 years and worked in school maintenance.

Per and his wife, Edythe, have been married for 58 years and have four children.

The public is invited to attend this special event for Laingsburg High's Wall of Fame and Per Blackledge.

Edythe, born 6 May 1919, Lansing, died 4 March 1996, Ovid (geographically in both Clinton and Shiawassee Counties), Michigan.  Per died 6 May 2010, Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan.  Per and Edythe were interred Laingsburg Cemetery, Laingsburg.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Saturday 8 May 2010

ROBERT PERSHING BLACKLEDGE

JACKSON

(May 20, 1918 - May 6, 2010)

Robert Pershing Blackledge "Per", age 91, of Jackson and formerly of Laingsburg, passed away at the Jackson County Medical Care Facility, surrounded by family on Thursday, May 6, 2010.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Watkins Brothers Funeral Home, Laingsburg Chapel with Pastor Elbert Dulworth officiating.  Family will meet with friends on Sunday and Monday from 6-8 p.m.  Burial will take place in the Laingsburg Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Whispering Willows Unit 2 for the caring, compassionate manner in which they cared for him during his stay.  Per was born in Farwell, MI on May 20, 1918 to Frank and Hazel (Gates) Blackledge.

He was married to Edythe Smith for nearly 62 years before her death in 1996.  He was also predeceased by his parents; a sister Mildred and her husband Allen Andrick; a brother Fay and wife Betty; a son, Stanley and his first wife Marie; daughter Carol Wagner; and granddaughter Beth.

He is survived by daughter, Elaine (Duane) Wagner, and son, Dean (Lilah) Blackledge; son-in-law Donald Wagner, and daughter-in-law Judy Blackledge; 19 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; a brother, Lyle; and nephew, Larry Andrick; and several great-nieces and nephews.

He lived for more than 65 years in rural Laingsburg before moving to Jackson due to failing health.  He was employed by the Laingsburg School System as transportation supervisor and bus mechanic for 26 years.  He kept the score book for the Wolfpack basketball team for 39 years and was the first inductee into the school Wall of Fame.  Together with wife Edythe, they served as bowling coaches to the youth for 19 years.  Per belonged to the Capital City Old Car Club and the International Dodge Brothers Club and owned three antique Dodges.  He liked to travel around the USA and camp and chat with follow campers around campfires, and enjoyed family gatherings.