<http://www.carmitimes.com> Carmi Times Posted Apr 02, 2012 @ 12:11 PM Lloyd Alfred Blackledge, age 88, of Carmi, died Sunday, April 1, 2012, at Enfield Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. He was born June 23, 1923 in Elvins, Mo., the son of Samuel Oscar and Effie Mae (Gillihan) Blackledge. Blackledge worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps and then joined the Merchant Marines during WWII. He graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy in New London, CT with his Master Mariner License. Blackledge enjoyed over 40 years of service in the Merchant Marines that took him around the world and through three wars. Blackledge married Dorothy K. Melavin in 1948. Their children, William H. Blackledge of Carmi and Andrea D. Hays and husband David K. Hays of Norris City survive. Blackledge married Margriet Schouten in 1977. Margriet Schouten survives in the Netherlands. He also is survived by stepdaughters, Maruja (Andre) Wielaard, Esther (Ron) Zeeuw, and Brenda (Ton) Smit, all of the Netherlands; and a stepson, Erwin "John" (Michelle) Van Laar of Henderson, Nev. Also surviving, one granddaughter, Erin Hays, of Evanston; step-granddaughters Britta, Mirjam, Karen, and Daniella; step-grandsons, Lex, Richard, Michael, and Bradley; a great-step-granddaughter, Sara; brothers, Reid E. Blackledge, of Carmi, and Vernon (Nancy) Blackledge of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and a sister, Rowena Charleville of Bradenton, Fla. Blackledge was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Grace Hamper, Glenna Blackledge, Dorothy Willis, Helen Gatlin, and Alma Bielaczyz; and five brothers, Homer, Maurice, Carl, John Paul, and Hayward Blackledge. Mr. Blackledge's ashes will be buried at Centerville Cemetery the morning of June 23, 2012. A cook out and celebration of his life for family and friends will take place at Burrell's Woods at noon on Saturday, June 23, 2012. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi. Condolences may be left at kittinger-fairfuneralhome.com. Lloyd Alfred Blackledge, age 88, of Carmi, died Sunday, April 1, 2012, at Enfield Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. He was born June 23, 1923 in Elvins, Mo., the son of Samuel Oscar and Effie Mae (Gillihan) Blackledge. Blackledge worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps and then joined the Merchant Marines during WWII. He graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy in New London, CT with his Master Mariner License. Blackledge enjoyed over 40 years of service in the Merchant Marines that took him around the world and through three wars. Blackledge married Dorothy K. Melavin in 1948. Their children, William H. Blackledge of Carmi and Andrea D. Hays and husband David K. Hays of Norris City survive. Blackledge married Margriet Schouten in 1977. Margriet Schouten survives in the Netherlands. He also is survived by stepdaughters, Maruja (Andre) Wielaard, Esther (Ron) Zeeuw, and Brenda (Ton) Smit, all of the Netherlands; and a stepson, Erwin "John" (Michelle) Van Laar of Henderson, Nev. Also surviving, one granddaughter, Erin Hays, of Evanston; step-granddaughters Britta, Mirjam, Karen, and Daniella; step-grandsons, Lex, Richard, Michael, and Bradley; a great-step-granddaughter, Sara; brothers, Reid E. Blackledge, of Carmi, and Vernon (Nancy) Blackledge of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and a sister, Rowena Charleville of Bradenton, Fla. Blackledge was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Grace Hamper, Glenna Blackledge, Dorothy Willis, Helen Gatlin, and Alma Bielaczyz; and five brothers, Homer, Maurice, Carl, John Paul, and Hayward Blackledge. Mr. Blackledge's ashes will be buried at Centerville Cemetery the morning of June 23, 2012. A cook out and celebration of his life for family and friends will take place at Burrell's Woods at noon on Saturday, June 23, 2012. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Stendeback Family Funeral Home in Carmi. Condolences may be left at kittinger-fairfuneralhome.com.