Howard Eugene Blackwood, 93, died at 6:50 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at his residence.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service at noon on Friday, July 11, at Community Christian Church, 2345 Union School Road, in Alton. Burial will be at Upper Alton Cemetery with full military honors by the Alton VFW Post 1308. Gent Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Blackwood was born Jan. 1, 1932, in East Alton, the son of the late Howard William and Bertha (Dale) Blackwood, and his stepmother, Faye Blackwood. On Jan. 18, 1962, he married Victoria Rose Pinta in Wood River and she survives.
A graduate of East Alton-Wood River High School, Mr. Blackwood served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Alton VFW Post 1308. He was a truck driver for many years with Shell Oil Company and enjoyed fishing, going to the donut shop with his Thursday morning coffee buddies and loved watching the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mr. Blackwood loved his wife, kids and grandkids with all of his heart. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for his family. He also loved his beloved and treasured cats, Coco and Chenelle.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Lynn Marie (Chris) Klunk of Grafton, Lori Ann (Brian) Quarton of Litchfield and Lisa Renee Blackwood (fiance´ Zach Beauchamp) of Springfield; 11 grandchildren, Cole (Vanessa), Kyli, Logan (Rachel), Victoria (Adam), Alexandria (Michael), Julia (Davon), Caroline (Aaron), Camden, Brennan (Natalie), Andrew (Abby) and Jenna (Brandon); 11 great-grandchildren, LaKaya, Francesca, Logan, Jr., Everett, Wally, Theon, Jaxen, Blayklee, Kainen, Sophie and Ellie; three sisters, Ann Gerl of Rosewood Heights, Roberta de la Rosa of New Mexico and Ruth Blackwood of Connecticut. In addition to his parents and stepmother, he was preceded in death by his son, Victor Pinta, and two sisters, Nonnie Stewart and Loretta Dippel.
Memorials may be made to the Alton VFW Post 1308 or Community Christian Church. Additional information and an online guestbook may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com.
