Courtney "Coonie" Blacketer, Jr.

Courtney “Coonie” Blacketer, Jr., age 88 of West Lebanon, IN died at 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at IU Health in Lafayette. Coonie was born in Covington, IN on October 18, 1923. He was the son of Cortney and Susie (Weber) Blacketer. He had resided in Fountain and Warren County all of his life residing in West Lebanon most of that time. He graduated from Covington High School in 1942. Coonie married Anna Groff on July 3, 1947 in Sterling, IN and she survives. Coonie served in the US Navy from 1942 until1946, serving in both the European and South Pacific Theatres and coming within a few miles of circling the globe. He participated in the Invasion of Sicily and saw action in Italy, France, South Africa and the South Pacific. He was a rural mail carrier for 25 years for West Lebanon, Covington and Williamsport areas. He was a member of the West Lebanon Fire Department for 25 years and a lifetime member of the VFW Post #3318 Attica. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and the outdoors. Surviving with his wife, Anna, are, 4 children, Gary Blacketer (wife: Diane) of West Lebanon, Colleen Wright (husband: Mark) of State Line, Brian Blacketer (wife: Annemarie) of Georgetown, IL, and Gloria McGowen (companion: Eric Brutus) of Pine Village; 3 sisters, Josephine Galloway of Covington, Vivian McDaniel of Attica, and Maralee Benedict of Williamsport; 8 grandchildren, Tiffany Blacketer, Michael Blacketer, Matt Sims (wife: Stacey), Courtney Blacketer, Seth Blacketer, Ethan Blacketer, Anna McGowen, and Cameron McGowen; 6 step-grandchildren, Dustin Wright (wife: Nancy), Alicia Avalos (husband: Phil), Diane Gray (husband: John), Katie Young, Laci Ransom, and Brooke Ransom; and 13 great-grandchildren. Coonie was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Blacketer, a sister, Ella Marie Dobbs, and 2 infant sisters. Visitation will be at Grady Funeral Home in West Lebanon on Friday, November 11, 2011 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services will be there in the chapel on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Roger McDaniel officiating. Interment will be West Lebanon Cemetery with full military honors. Memorial donations may be made to the Mac Van Program.