Pat Blackburn

Pat Blackburn, 91, passed away on July 5, 2025 in Sarasota, FL. He was born on October 29, 1933 to John A. and Mary (Dunphy) Blackburn, the third of four children, growing up on a farm near Walton, IL. Pat attended a one room school house, Stott School, on Pump Factory Road after his childhood polio condition subsided. He graduated from Amboy Township High School in 1952 and was a proud member of the Amboy Clippers football team. On April 8, 1953, he married Joan Elliott, while serving in the United States Army prior to being stationed in Korea. After his Army discharge he became a member of Operating Engineers Local 150 and later served as Business Agent for District 4 out of the Polo Dispatch Office from 1976 until 1986. He was a 150 member for 68 years. In 1987 he and Joan began spending winters in Payne Park in Sarasota, FL. Payne Park was also the Spring Training Home of the Chicago White Sox of which they were fans of. He was also a lifelong Chicago Bears fan and sometimes hosted Dixon friends when the Bears came to Tampa Bay, much to the chagrin of his Sarasota neighbors! He was an active member of the Lee County Democrats, serving as precinct committeeman in Dixon 16 for almost 30 years and was the vice chairman of the Lee County Central Committee from 1975 until 1993, serving along side of his first cousin, D.D. Considine, who was the chairman for 16 of those years. He was a Lifetime Member of the Dixon Knights of Columbus 690, Dixon American Legion and the VFW Sunshine Post 3233 where he was known “Pat the Democrat” and was famous his saying “I’ll be right back.” He is survived by his wife Joan, sons David (Christine), John (Stephanie) and daughter Laura (Scott) McMullen, grandchildren Erika, Max, Beau and Jack Blackburn, Carly (Cole) Engelbarts, Mariah (Blake) Whalen, Casey Olson, Matt (Brooke) McMullen and Chloe (Trevor Cross) Olson, great-grandchildren Crew Engelbarts and Madden McMullen, sister Rosemary Ryan and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be at a later date as will a celebration of life. Memorials may directed to the VFW Sunshine Post 3233, 124 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237 or SRQ Vets, 5824 Bee Ridge Rd., PMB 443 Sarasota, Sarasota, FL 34233. Arrangements by the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon.

Pat Blackburn

October 29, 1933 - July 5, 2025