Charles B Blackwood

Charles “Chuck” B. Blackwood, 68, of Gnadenhutten, went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 7, 2007, surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.Born August 14, 1938 in Albany, Ohio, he is the son of Jennie (Dean) Blackwood and the late Edward Blackwood. After completing his high school education at Washington High School at Massillon in 1956, he soon married the love of his life, the former Emillie Hofelt on February 9, 1961.He spent his professional career as a Journeyman plumber. His affiliation with the Local 94 Plumbers and Pipefitters Association in Canton spanned more than 45 years.Chuck was a man who worked hard, but also played hard. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He and his family could often be found racing their motorcycles and ATVs on the racetrack or riding outside for pleasure. Chuck’s passion for the outdoors and hard work has been passed to his children and grandchildren who will carry his torch forward. One example of this is best seen in the completion of building and renovating log cabins, a hobby the family did alongside Chuck.Together with Emillie, Chuck raised registered pygmy goats for 4-H and as family pets for more than 22 years. His gentle nature and love for pygmy goats led him to mentor young 4-H members, teaching them how to raise and show the animals. He was also a member of the Stark County Jr. Fair Pygmy Goat Committee for many years.Chuck and Emillie’s greatest love was that of their family. Together for 46 years, they reared a loving family which includes their children, Kirstin L. (Brad) Cheyney of Jackson Township, Charles D. (Denise) Blackwood of Dellroy, and G. Cain (Lisa) Blackwood of Bolivar; grandchildren, Laura K. (Andrew) Greene of Jackson Township, Emillie R. (fiancé, Patrick Peters) Cheyney of Columbus, Indiana, Jacob C. Blackwood of Bolivar and Paige E. Cheyney of Jackson Township. He is also survived by his brother, The Rev. Ted (Linda) Blackwood of North Canton; sisters, Sarah (David) Brown of Chester, Virginia, Barbara (Tim) Brown of Jackson Township, and Faye (The Rev. John) Ahmed of Massillon. Numerous nieces and nephews complete the family.In addition to his father, Chuck was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Megan J. Blackwood and his brother, Jerry Blackwood.Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A service celebrating Chuck’s life will be held on Wednesday in the Sharon Moravian Church at 11:00 a.m. with his family, including The Revs. Rufus Hofelt II and Ted Blackwood, officiating. Visitation will also be held in the church one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Burial will follow in Sharon Moravian Church Cemetery. Friends and family are invited back to the church fellowship hall where a meal will be prepared by the devoted ladies of the church.In gratitude for their exemplary care and compassion to Chuck and his family, the Blackwood family requests memorial contributions be directed to Union Hospital for Home Health Care, 658 Boulevard, Dover, OH 44622 and Hospice of Tuscarawas County Inc, 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, OH 44622; or to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, P.O. Box 630342, Baltimore, Maryland 21263-0342.