Zylpha Blackburn

Zylpha Pauline Blackburn, the only child of Vie Elizabeth Sickler and Eddie Allen Walker, was born at Malvern, Iowa on December 23, 1928. Zylpha grew up in Malvern and graduated from the Malvern Community High School in 1946. Following school, Zylpha worked in the office for Dr. Shonka. Snooks and Carroll "Max" Blackburn were married on January 30, 1948. They made their home in Malvern and were blessed with their six children, Gwyn, Cheryl, Marsheila, Melonie, Ed, and Darin. Zylpha enjoyed her role as homemaker and kept very active in her children's lives, volunteering at school and as a leader and helper with the Girl Scout and Cub Scout troops. She was an active community volunteer and a friend to many. Zylpha and Max had been married 35 years when Max died on April 3, 1983. Zylpha continued to live at her home near Malvern and loved gardening, bird watching, being outdoors, and playing cards. She was a member of the Malvern Baptist Church and the Deborah Society; as well as the American Legion Auxiliary, Malvern Garden Club and Bridge Clubs. She was especially proud of her family as they were all present to celebrate her 75th birthday this past Dece...[more]

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r. Zylpha died at the Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, NE on February 26, 2004 at the age of 75 years, 2 months, and 3 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Max; brother-in-law Richard Blackburn and sister-in-law Eleanor Blackburn; and great nephew Cameron Blackburn. Zylpha is survived by her daughters Gwyn Gillispie and her husband Bob of Neosho, MO, Cheryl Jones and her husband Greg of Malvern, Marsheila Toupal and her husband Steve of Scottsdale, AZ, Melonie Doyle and her husband James of Randolph, IA; sons Ed Blackburn and his wife Karen of Mesa, AZ and Darin Blackburn and his wife Nori of Waterville, KS; sister-in-law Jean Blackburn of Oakland, IA; brothers-in-law Bill Blackburn and his wife Grace of Malvern, and Bruce Blackburn and his wife Janette of Tabor; 15 grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.