David J. Blackledge, Sr.

David J. Blackledge, Sr., age 63, Bloomsburg, died at 9:18 a. m. Friday, December 6, 2013 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where  he was a patient for eleven days. He was in failing health for the past three years.

Born in Kingston on December 19, 1949, he was the son of June (Oberst) Blackledge, Millville and the late John  â€œJack” Blackledge, Jr.

Dave attended the Bloomsburg High School and enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968. As a Marine, he did a tour of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter Captain.  Following his military service,  he worked as a truck driver and later owned an insurance underwriting service. He last was employed by WHLM radio in Bloomsburg as an account  executive and show producer/host, retiring in 2012,  after three years, due to his health problems.

He played music for many years and spent a few just playing gigs and producing the PA Singer Songwriter Festival.

Dave wanted his friends to know to know that it was his request to be cremated and that there be no formal funeral services. He said his friends should say hi to his wife, Deb, when they see her and perhaps tell her a funny story about him, as he spent half of his life trying to make people laugh, especially with his comedy music albums.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Linda (Heller) Telesky on  Feb. 6, 2011;  and by two brothers: Larry Heller on June 29, 2013 and Daniel J. Blackledge on Jan. 29, 2012.

Surviving in addition to his mother, is his wife, the former Deborah S. Ulshafer, with whom he celebrated his 33rd wedding anniversary on Sept. 26, 2013;  a daughter, Diane B. Morgan, Lafayette, Colo.; a son, David J. Blackledge, Jr., and his wife Jacky, Bloomsburg;  two granddaughters: Ryan Morgan and Harper Blackledge; and was awaiting the birth of Kennedy Blackledge; and a brother, Thomas Blackledge, and his  wife Amelia, Bloomsburg.

A Life Celebration Open House will be held on Sunday from 1 to 5 p. m. at his home in Espy. Please call: 570-854-0397 for directions.

It ends for all of us, it’s what you make of your time on earth that counts.

Please omit flowers. Memorials may be sent in his memory to the Animal Resource Center,  301-A Boone Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg.