Hershel Wayne Blackard

Hershel was born July 2, 1944, in Corinth, Mississippi. The son of Hershel Lee and Velvia Geneva (Estes) Blackard, he was the oldest of three children. He heard the Savior’s call in Holy Baptism, and through the gospel in Word and water he was adopted as a member of God’s family at Faith Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg, Georgia on June 22, 2002. The Savior nourished the faith He had created in Hershel’s heart, and led him to confess this faith publicly. He was confirmed in the Christian faith at Peace Lutheran Church, Holiday, Florida on August 22, 2013. Hershel married Mara Lynn LaBine (Sauer) on December 24, 1997, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. On December 24, 2019, they celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary. He retired as supervisor of Corporate Housekeeping/Cleaning Specialists from Abbott Laboratories. He was a kind, caring and giving man. Hershel loved and cherished spending time with his family. Our departed brother was not in good health for the last several years of his life. During these difficult years, the Lord spoke to him repeatedly through His Word and nourished his faith with His Holy Supper. Jesus called Hershel to his eternal home of peace and rest on Tuesday, June 23, after having had a hemorrhagic stroke on Friday, June 19, 2020. We who remain behind—his wife Mara, 2 daughters: Lori (Art) Lewey and Le ann (Kent) Carlson, 2 sons: Joel (Janice) Blackard and James (Debbie) Blackard, 2 stepsons: John Metzinger Jr and Joshua LaBine, 3 stepdaughters: Mari (Beni) Tenifa, Nicole (Tim) Vaillancourt and Jaclyn LaBine (Kenny Weaver), 2 sisters: Delores Patton and Peggy (Ben) Higginbottom, 5 grandsons: Jeremy Chorba, Joshua Bergloff, JonLee and Ruddy Blackard, Tristan Carlson and 3 step grandsons: John Metzinger III, Lolo Tenifa and Carter Weaver, 7 step-granddaughters: Charlize and Emily LaBine, Makayla and Sia Tenifa, Olivia and Tiffany Vaillancourt, and Lindsey Weaver—cling in faith to Jesus Christ, our only Savior, and await that great day when we, together with our brother gone on ahead, will rise from our grave and follow the Savior out of this life into a better one. To him who loved us and washed us from our sins in his blood, be honor and glory and power now and forever. Amen. Memorial service is scheduled for 11am Monday, June 29, 2020 at Prevatt Funeral Home,7709 State Road 52, Hudson, FL 34667. Memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church building fund, 3030 Starkey Blvd (Suite 227) Trinity, FL 34655 or online at peacelutherantrinity.com clicking on the ‘Donate to Peace’ link at the bottom of the page.