Nila J. Blackwell, 87 years of age, from Excelsior Springs, Mo., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, with his wife and family by his side.
He was born in Trenton, Texas, to Mary Lou and Walter Blackwell on April 4, 1929. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he served during the Korean War in Trieste, Italy. He was a retired meat cutter from A&P Grocery where he worked the majority of his career in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Nila spent his time after retirement as a small engine repairman and loved to travel; although nothing made him happier than his family.
He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Karen Denise; his first wife, Patricia Dean; and both parents.
Nila leaves behind a loving wife of 40 years, Melva Jean; daughter, Linda Campbell and her husband, Robert of Excelsior Springs; son, Rodney Blackwell of Kansas City, Mo.; daughter, Karen Laws and her husband, Don from Nashville, Tenn.; son, Ken Shuttleworth and wife, Janet from Bryant, Ark.; grandsons, Joshua Campbell and his wife, Nikole, Derek Campbell and his wife, Felicia, all of Excelsior Springs, Tim Thompson and his wife, Renee, and Chris Keithley, all of Nashville, Tenn., Kyla Mead and husband, Michael from Mass., and Kelly Shuttleworth from Peoria, Ill.; and seven great grandchildren.
In lieu of traditional services the family will be having a Celebration of Life on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at the Community Room of Excelsior Springs Properties on Meadowlark Lane from 2 to 4 p.m.
Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
