Jack L. Blackwell

Jack Leslie Blackwell, 92, of Sedalia, passed away January 21, 2023, at Bothwell Regional Health Center with his wife of 63 years, Betty, at his side.

He was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, on August 13, 1930, the son of Leslie William and Tressie Mae (Muir) Blackwell.

He was united in marriage to Betty (Mallett) Blackwell on September 5, 1959, at First Christian Church, 7

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and Massachusetts, by Dr. Harry Purviance.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home and nephews, John Mallett (Lori) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Robert Mallett (Marilynn) of Ravensdale, Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law John William Mallett and sister-in-law, Helen Mallett.

He was a 1948 graduate of Jefferson City High School, 1950 graduate of Jefferson City Junior College, and graduate of Westminster College, Fulton, in 1952 with a B.A. degree in Biology.

He joined the Air Force upon completion of his college degree where he was assigned to the Medical Field Service School at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Upon completion of training in Electroencephalography and Physical Therapy, he was assigned to the hospital at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. After serving at Eglin for nearly two years, he was assigned to the hospital at Burderop Park Air Force Base in England where he served for the remainder of his tour of duty.

Upon completion of his tour of duty he was employed by the Missouri Division of Health from 1956 until 1959 and by the Sedalia Water Department from 1959 until his retirement as Distribution Superintendent in 1992.

Jack was baptized at First Christian Church in Jefferson City in 1940 where he remained a member until 1959 when he moved his membership to First Christian Church, Sedalia. His faith was strong and he never lived in fear of the future. He loved God and his church family. Through the years he served as Elder, Lifetime Deacon, Chairman of the Board of Directors and most ministry and working departments of the church.

He was a member of the Sedalia Rotary Club from 1972 until his health failed in 2016. He was Rotarian of the year 1982-83 and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a Past President of the Pettis County Crime Stoppers Board of Directors, serving on that board for 30 years. Through the years, he was a member of Bothwell Hospital Auxiliary, Melita Day Nursery Board of Directors, Scout Leader and Past Division Chairman of Sedalia-Pettis County United Way.

The family wishes to thank Dr. William Woolery and the nurses and staff on 2SW at Bothwell Regional Health Center for their care and compassion.

Reverend Dr. Chad McMullin will conduct memorial services at First Christian Church on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Bill Curry, Greg Ditzfeld, Dan Nickell, Sterling Green, Glen Glidewell, and Richard Brooks. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. William Woolery, Chris Squires, David Menefee, Jim Monroe, Mike Mittenburg and Donald Morton

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Christian Church in care of Heckart Funeral Home, or simply lend a hand to help someone in need.