James F. Blackiston Sr.

CHESTERTOWN, Md. - James F. Blackiston Sr., of Chestertown, died on March 5, 2009, surrounded by his loving family in Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. He was 80. Mr. Blackiston was born on Sept. 21, 1928, in Crumpton, son of the late Daniel W. and Beatrice Harbison Blackiston. He was a graduate of Sudlersville High School, and began his career with Don Kelley Chevrolet for 25 years in Chestertown becoming the foreman of their paint shop. He also worked at Burton Chevrolet and for 15 years owned and operated his own paint and body shop in Barclay. For the past 13 years, he was working for Kent County at the Nicholson Landfill. Mr. Blackiston was with the Maryland National Guard for 16 years. He enjoyed crabbing, reading westerns and vegetable gardening. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and George 'Buss' Blackiston. Mr. Blackiston is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bessie Mae Rowsey Blackiston; four children, James F. Blackiston Jr. and his wife Kelly of Colonial Heights, Va., Linda Blackiston, Margaret Ann O'Neill, and Michael A. Blackiston and his wife Sondra, all of Chestertown; a brother, Ralph J. Blackiston of Crumpton; two sisters, Catherine Otley Blackiston of Chestertown and Cecilia K. Farrow of North East, Md.; four grandchildren, Christine O'Neill, Michelle Andrews, Michael Blackiston Jr. and Leigh Blackiston; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 11 in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St., Galena, where friends may call one hour prior to service. Burial in Crumpton Cemetery.