Richard "Dick" Douglas Blackwell Sr.

Richard “Dick” Douglas Blackwell Sr., 67, of Mentor, died March 2, 2023 peacefully surrounded by family. He was born January 20, 1956 in Englewood, New Jersey. Richard grew up in Tenafly, N.J., and attended Walter Stillman Elementary School, Tenafly Middle School and Tenafly High School. A member of the Boy Scouts, Troop #86 in Tenafly, Richard has many achievements he was proud of, but one of his proudest was hiking hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail. Richard was a member of the Tenakill Chapter of DeMolay and a bagpiper in the Bergen County Pipe and Drum Corp. After meeting and marrying his wife, Mary Jane Markey, he relocated to Monroe, New York where he raised his four children. Dick was a skilled machinist and moved to Mentor, Ohio to further his work opportunities. Dick truly enjoyed going on long walks, regardless of the weather, and beating all the fitbit challenges. Other hobbies include spoiling any dog he’d meet along the way, and building his own model airplanes. He enjoyed the beach, good music, and sharing his knowledge of life. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane; children, Richard, Melissa (Martin) Jordan, Lauren (Benji) Jarabeck, and Jeanie (K.C. Heidenthal) Blackwell; grandchildren, Leighla Jane, Harper Kate, Benson James; grand pups, Heisley and Oaklee; siblings, Lynn (Ronald) Vanderlinden, and Robert (Leonora) Blackwell Sr.; brother in law, Neil (Jill) Markey, and sister in law, Ellen (Bob) Frank; and his nieces and nephews, Steven (Jessica) Vanderlinden, Daniel Vanderlinden, Jenna (Josh) Kelly, Jason Vanderlinden, Robert Blackwell Jr., Kathleen Blackwell, Jennifer Blackwell, Nicole Arfmann, Alison Arfmann, Julia Arfmann, Robert, Kevin and Thomas Frank, Charlotte (Sam) Lewis, and Dineen, Georgia, and Fiona Markey. He was also survived by many dear aunts, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and Jean Blackwell; brother, Thomas Blackwell; his sister, Cheryl Arfmann; brother in law, Peter Markey. The family will receive friends to celebrate Dick’s life from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. A funeral service to conclude the gathering will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Richard "Dick" Douglas Blackwell Sr.

January 20, 1956 - March 2, 2023