Wendell Whittier Blackstone

16 years ago

ImageBlackstone, Wendell W., 94, Caribou, in Lake Wales, FL, August 22, 2008. Friends may call from 6 – 8 p.m.  Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at the Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home in Caribou. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Arrangements are in the care of the Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home, Caribou.

 

    CARIBOU – Wendell Whittier Blackstone, 94, husband of the late Ruth H. Blackstone, passed away Friday August 22, 2008, at his residence in Lake Wales, FL. He was born June 16, 1914 in Caribou the son of Fred J. and Eva (Whittier) Blackstone, the fourth of six children.
    After graduating from Caribou High School where he was active in the sports program such as cross country track team, spring track team and winter skiing, he attended Gordon College of Theology and Missions in Boston, Mass.  He returned to Caribou to pursue a career in farming on the Back Presque Isle Rd. until 1970 at which time Wendell changed to a career in life, health and accident insurance sales. As a farmer, Wendell was vice president of Young Farmers of Aroostook, Director of Federal Land Bank of Central Aroostook for nine years, vice president for two years for Assoc. Director of Central Aroostook Production Credit Assoc., and Director of Maine Potato Growers Assoc. for six years, a member of American Farm Bureau, an Extension Service Member, a member of Grange Local and Pomona Grange.  He helped organize twenty-seven farmers into Caribou Grower’s Association. Wendell was President of Future Farmers of America from 1931-1932.  During his lifetime he served on many committees including Boy Scouts, DeMolay and Rainbow Girls. He was past master of Caribou Lodge of Masons AF&AM #170, a past High Priest of Garfield Chapter, Royal Arch Masons Lodge #98, a member of the Anah Temple Shrine, a thirty-second degree mason of both the York and Scottish Rite, Valley of Bangor, Valley of Portland Consistory, a past Worthy Patron of Elizabeth Chapter #108 OES. Wendell was a member of the United Baptist Church of Caribou for seventy-two years, where he taught Sunday School, was a member of the North Aroostook Committee, worked with Boys Brigade, served with the Gideons International for fifteen years. He was a lay preacher and volunteered for the Maine Bible Society.
    In 1939 he married Geraldine Elizabeth Morrell of Fort Fairfield who passed away in 1982. Wendell married Ruth Cook and they enjoyed traveling extensively to Israel four times, Europe, Mexico, and throughout the U.S. In recent years, they enjoyed relaxing between Florida and Maine until her passing in July of 2007.
    He is survived by four children; Wendell Whittier Blackstone, George Rodney Blackstone, Fred Jones Blackstone III, Katherine Louise Kelsey. He is also survived by five grandchildren and a brother Fred. He was predeceased by a daughter Elizabeth Ann and son-in-law Larry Burnap and their two children. He was also predeceased by two sons; Jon and Quentin. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by four siblings; Marjorie, Earl, Kenneth, and Arnold. 
    Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Wednesday August 27, 2008, during which time a Masonic service will be conducted at the Lancaster-Morgan Funeral Home 11 Clover St., Caribou.  Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Blackstone officiating.  Interment will take place following the service at Evergreen Cemetery in Caribou.  Friends may express their condolences to the family at www.lancastermorgan.com