RAYMOND — Otis Blackburn, 87, died Feb. 12 at Raymond. Born Aug. 31, 1923 in Cushing, Okla., he was the son of Thomas Jefferson and Willie Mae Lowe Blackburn. A resident of Raymond most of his life, he was a retired truck driver and mechanic. On May 16, 1941, he married Altus Higgins in Pawnee, Okla. In 1964 he married Jenny Melton. She died on Nov. 30, 1994.

Mr. Blackburn was a veteran of the United States Army as a Sgt. in the 2nd Battalion 342 Infantry during World War II, where he received a combat Infantry Badge, a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He was a member of the Raymond Baptist Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Pam Wornkey of Ellilnwood; three sons, Dwight Blackburn of Cleveland, Okla., Dee Blackburn of Nardin, Okla., and Kevin Blackburn of Hoisington; two brothers, W.A. Blackburn and Delma Blackburn, both of Raymond; two sisters, Pauline Coldwater of Ellinwood and Gearldine Long of Raymond; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, David Blackburn.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Raymond Baptist Church with Matt Hendricks officiating. Burial will be at the Raymond Hilltop Cemetery with full Military Honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may visit from 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Raymond Fire Department in care of the funeral home.