On March 4, 1912 Oran died of meningitis at 2 a.m. according to his Death Certificate #10525. Oran was 5 yrs, 4 mos., and 2 days old at the time of his death. I noticed on his death certificate that they called him Hale. Oran Hale Blackstun's father was James Jackson Blackstun who was born on October 30, 1877 in Crawford, Buchanan Co., Missouri, and he died on April 1, 1912 in Dearborn, Platte Co., Missouri. His mother was Grace Malinda Cardwell-Blackstun who was born on February 8, 1890 in Dearborn, Platte Co., Missouri and Died on April 3, 1939 in Fort Morgan, Morgan Co., Colorado. He had two brothers Paul Kenneth who was born on June 1, 1908 in Dearborn, Platte Co., Missouri, and died on May 16, 1984 in Portsmouth, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire, and James Herbert was born on Feb 20, 1912 in Dearborn, Platte Co., Missouri, and died on March 9, 1976 in Brush, Morgan Co., Colorado. When his father passed away he had his best friend, my grandfather Willis Verandis Smith promise to take care of his wife and boys, so on July 27, 1912 Grace and Willis got married in St Joseph, Buchanan Co., Missouri by a Justice of Peace. So at this time Oran became my Uncle, and my Grandfather became his Stepfather. His mother Grace (my Grandmother) and Willis Verandis Smith had ten more children, four boys, and six girls, which makes them Oran's half siblings. They were Ida May Smith-Parsons 1913-1983, Ilia Ruth Smith-Reich 1915-1997, Ura Oreita Smith-DeSoto 1917-1997, Willis Earl Smith 1919-1999, Elizabeth Ruby Smith-Hovermale-Loper 1921-1999, David Judson Smith 1923-2003, Malcom Evans Smith 1925 1997, Betty Jean Smith-Carraway 1923-1996, Louie Charles "Charlie" Smith 1930-2009, Alice Jacqueline Marie Smith 1932-1935.