V. K. Blackard, a resident of Coldwater for 45 years, suffered a heart attack at his home at the east edge of Coldwater, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday of last week, having fallen in his kitchen, and death was instantaneous. He had been in failing health for two months or more.His funeral service was held in the Methodist church in Coldwater at 2 p.m. on Monday of this week and was in charge of the pastor, Rev. Donald A. Kessler and Rev. C. C. Brown of McPherson, who is a former pastor here.
Mrs. Cedric Crane sang, "Silver Haired Daddy of Mine," Herschel Thornberg and Marvin Plank sang "Crossing the Bar" and Rev. Thornburg, Mr. Plank, Bowman Hewett and Gurney Hadley sang "Beyond the Sunset." The accompanist was George Wolf.
The active pallbearers were Bryan Hoffman, Burke Burnette, W. N. Parsons, Ralph Griffith, Martin Swisher and DeLose Bean and the honorary pallbearers were Jacob Younker, Billy Jarnagin, Will Avery, Chas. Allderdice, H. H. Kopke, Fred Robbins, Clyde Blount and Dr. R. A. J. Shelley. Interment was in Crown Hill cemetery near this city. The graveside service was in charge of the Wm. H. Finney V. F. W. post of this city. The military honors were conducted by a Salute to the Dead by the post firing squad.
Obituary.
Verner Knight Blackard, son of A. H. and Laura Caldwell Blackard, was born March 16, 1876, in Gallatin county, Illinois, and died at Coldwater, Kans., January 4, 1951, at the age of 74 years, 9 months and 12 days. He was a veteran of the Spanish-American war and served overseas two years.
For the past 45 years he had resided at Coldwater, where he worked as a carpenter and contractor. He was capable and a conscientious workman and was a kind and loving husband and father, as well as a good neighbor and citizen. Mr. Blackard became a member of the Methodist church soon after coming to this country.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Grace Blackard; one daughter, Mrs. Lois Hopkins of Protection, and three sons -- Verner C. Blackard of Coldwater, Clyde E. Blackard of Coldwater and Staff Sgt. Lester E. Blackard of Park Ridge, Ill.; two sisters -- Mrs. Ethel Caldwell of Mt. Carmel, Ill.; and Mrs. Allie Sharp of Richmond, Ind.; other relatives and friends. One sister, Miss Nell Blackard, preceded him in death.
Spanish-American War Veterans of Comanche County, Kansas
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