Lloyd A. Blackford

On a particularly snowy day on December 29, 1934, a doctor was brought up the lane by bobsled at the home of Ralph and Miriam (Dapper) Blackford to deliver Lloyd A. Blackford. This was the beginning of what would be an 84-year life filled with hard-work, and longtime memories created with family and friends. Lloyd died on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus following a brief illness.



Values instilled in Lloyd were developed at a young age with his efforts spent helping his father on the family farm. He was a 1952 graduate of North Robinson High School and shortly thereafter married Collette Yosick who preceded him in death. Lloyd married Barbara (Young) Baker and they shared 58 years together.



Lloyd lived to care for his family. He worked at Timken for 32 years and did a lot of farming. He had purchased the farm he was born on and raised mainly pigs and cows until moving into town in 2005. Lloyd was able to teach lessons to his family without even telling them what to do and he was at any ballgame or music recital his children or grandchildren participated in. He and Barb faced everything as a team and spent many hours each day, simply talking to one another. He was very supportive of her work and campaign and cherished the friendships formed.



Following retirement, Lloyd took pride in giving back to his community and was “all in” with everything that he did. He was active as a Sandusky Twp. Trustee; President of Crawford County Twp. Association; President of OSU Economic Board for Crawford County; President of Crawford County Regional Planning Commission; served on Council of Aging Board; member of the Crawford County Antique Tractor Association, where he and Barb along with others made lots of homemade ice cream. Lloyd also helped to found and served as President of the Central Joint Ambulance District; an accomplishment he was very proud of.



Family and farming were his hobbies and later in life, he and Barb enjoyed many bus tours and travels throughout the country. He was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in North Robinson where he served on council and taught Sunday School. Since moving to town, they have been members of St. Paul’s in Bucyrus.



He will be deeply missed by wife, Barb; children, Tamara (Tom) Baker of Powell, Tammy Sue (Rob) Heacock of Marion and Timothy (Bobbie) Blackford of Kenton; daughter-in-law, Linda Baker of Bucyrus; grandchildren, Jessica (Stephen) Rode, Laura Harper, Meredith (Nick) Rhodes, Ashton (Kyle) Vorhees, Colyn Blackford, Lisa Heiser and Crystal Hill; nine great grandchildren; sister, Jean Hayes of Galion and brother, John ( Jean) Blackford of Villages, Florida.



Lloyd is rejoined with his son, Al Baker; two sisters, Ireta Ruth and Evelyn who died during infancy; brother, Marvin Blackford and brother-in-law, Kenneth Hayes.



His family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Tuesday, February 5 at Wise Funeral Service. Lloyd’s funeral will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bucyrus with Pastor Mike Greenler officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.



Donations can be made payable to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. These gifts will be accepted at the funeral home or at the church on the morning of service.