Thomas M. Blackston, 97, of Eastview, formerly of Elizabethtown, died Friday, May 26, 2017 at Hardin Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Retired SFC Blackstone was an honorably discharged World War II veteran. During his years of service, he made 3D-Day landings; he was wounded on Normandy Beach. He was a decorated soldier, having earned two Purple Hearts, a bronze star, and others. He retired in 1961 after serving 21 years. After working various odd jobs, he started working at Gates Rubber Company in 1965 and would be the first retiree from the Polyflex Plant in 1983. He lived in Elizabethtown until 2007 at which time he moved to Eastview with his son. Mr. Blackstone was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Maria Boeck Blackstone; his parents, Jesse and Ossie Hulsey Blackstone; his brothers, Owen, Raiford and James; unnamed baby sister who died at birth; his oldest child, Sonja Hoke and his grandson, Jesse Tyler Blackstone. He is survived by his sister, Mary Shell of St. Paul, Virginia; his sons, Larry (Glenda) Blackstone of Elizabethtown, Randy (Alisa) Blackstone of Glendale, Greg ( Delana) Blackstone of Eastview, and Stanley (Paulette) Blackstone of Williamsburg; a daughter, Carol Blackstone (Joseph) of Elizabethtown and a son-in-law, Jerry Hoke of St. Louis. Thomas was also survived by his grandchildren, Tracy (Jimmy) Adams, April (Bill) Lambert, Herbert (Sherry) Hoke, Joseph (Melanie) Blackstone, Thomas, Seth, Nicole and Bethany Blackstone and nine great grandchilren. Visitation services will be Monday, May 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by Funeral Services at 7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home. There will be a private graveside service at St. James Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed online at www.brownfuneral.com.

Visitation:

Monday, May 29, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Brown Funeral Home

Service:

Monday, May 29, 2017 starting at 7:00 PM
Brown Funeral Home