There will be no services. Private burial will be in Erie Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Erie Baptist Church, Erie. Arrangements were handled by Gibson Funeral Home, Erie.
Howard was born July 30, 1917, in Scott County, Ill., to James Harley and Flora Walker Blair. He married Ruthie Zuidema in 1952 and they later divorced in 1968.
He served for 11 years in the U.S. Army, where he became a sergeant in the 868th Anti-Aircraft Artillery. During his years of service, he received the American Defense Service Ribbon, Asiatic Theater Ribbon and was awarded one bronze battle star, six overseas service bars, three service stripes and the good conduct medal. After being discharged from the Army, Howard worked for John Deere Harvester for 36 years, retiring in 1982. He was a longtime member of the Erie Baptist Church, where he served on the board of trustees. He obtained his pilot's license and enjoyed flying. He also enjoyed going to bluegrass music festivals, and meeting his friends at McDonald's in East Moline.
Survivors include his three sons, Gary Blair, Dixon, Ill., Larry Blair, Clinton, Iowa, Duane Blair, Dubuque, Iowa; sisters, Dorothy Hawkins, Springfield, Ill., Eldora Grimsley, Woodriver, Ill.; brothers, Robert Blair, Gainesville, Fla., James Blair, Erie; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Steven Blair; five sisters; and one brother.
There will be no services. Private burial will be in Erie Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Erie Baptist Church, Erie. Arrangements were handled by Gibson Funeral Home, Erie.
Howard was born July 30, 1917, in Scott County, Ill., to James Harley and Flora Walker Blair. He married Ruthie Zuidema in 1952 and they later divorced in 1968.
He served for 11 years in the U.S. Army, where he became a sergeant in the 868th Anti-Aircraft Artillery. During his years of service, he received the American Defense Service Ribbon, Asiatic Theater Ribbon and was awarded one bronze battle star, six overseas service bars, three service stripes and the good conduct medal. After being discharged from the Army, Howard worked for John Deere Harvester for 36 years, retiring in 1982. He was a longtime member of the Erie Baptist Church, where he served on the board of trustees. He obtained his pilot's license and enjoyed flying. He also enjoyed going to bluegrass music festivals, and meeting his friends at McDonald's in East Moline.
Survivors include his three sons, Gary Blair, Dixon, Ill., Larry Blair, Clinton, Iowa, Duane Blair, Dubuque, Iowa; sisters, Dorothy Hawkins, Springfield, Ill., Eldora Grimsley, Woodriver, Ill.; brothers, Robert Blair, Gainesville, Fla., James Blair, Erie; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Steven Blair; five sisters; and one brother.
Family Members
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Pauline Jeannette Blair Hester
1907–1981
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Mildred Bernice Blair Ellison
1909–1990
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Madaline Janice Blair Carriger
1910–1992
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Francis Eugene Blair
1911–1983
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Winifred Ellen Blair Suter
1914–2000
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Lois Regina Blair Cole
1921–1999
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Dorothy Louise Blair Hawkins
1923–2010
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Eldora May Blair Grimsley
1925–2011
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James E. Blair
1928–2016
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