Obituary of John R. Blackman

John R. Blackman, 52, of 127 Catlin Avenue, died Saturday January 15, 2011, in Hamot Medical Center, Erie. A Jamestown native, he was born January 15, 1959, a son of Robert and Lois Johnson Blackman. He was a 1977 graduate of Jamestown High School and 1980 graduate of Jamestown Community College. He was employed by Chautauqua Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council as director of the Awareness Theater Program since 1988. He was a member of First Covenant Church. John was involved in several area performing arts groups including Das Puppenspiel as a puppeteer and board member, Jamestown Community College Uncommoners, Bunberry Theater, Lucille Ball Little Theater, Jamestown High School Drama Program and Lucy Desi Center's Komedy Kollege. Surviving besides his parents of Jamestown of are his wife Joni Dodge Blackman, two daughters Caitlin E. Blackman of Buffalo and Christine L. Blackman of Jamestown, a sister Sharron Burak of Jamestown, a brother William Blackman of Jamestown, a niece Jennifer VanNauker of Jamestown, nephew Robert Burak of Cape Coral, FL and a great nephew Daniel VanNauker of Jamestown. He was preceded in death by his grandparents F.R. and Alma Blackman and Ivar and May Johnson. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in First Covenant Church. Rev. Adam Rohler will officiate. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Stockton. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Chautauqua Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council, 2-8 East Second Street, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may light a candle in remembrance of John at www.lindfuneralhome.com