Blackburn, Garth Oren, "Popeye" of Bay City, Michigan (formerly of Saginaw) passed away Monday morning, October 17, 2011 at St. Mary's of Michigan in Saginaw. Age 73 years. He was born February 3, 1938 in Breckenridge, Michigan to the late Darwin and Christine (Lotridge) Blackburn. Garth enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening and especially meticulously maintaining his yard. He was a former member of Parents without Partners, retired from Grey Iron Foundry and was formerly employed at Aero Space. He is survived by his wife the former Nina Jean Tanner whom he married October 17, 1987, three children; Darwin Michael Blackburn of Saginaw, Connie Jean (Daniel) Schueller of St. Cloud, MN and Daniel James Blackburn of Saginaw, five step children; David George of Bay City, John George of Kincheloe, MI, Annette George of Bay City, Michelle (Dennis) Boothe of Mesa, AZ, Lisa and Alex Hernandez of Bay City, seventeen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, his father-in-law; LeRoy Tanner of Bay City, four brothers; Melvin, Willard, Gerald and Charlie Blackburn, one sister; Janice Yanna and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; Darwin and Christine, one grandchild, one great grandchild, three brothers; Louie, Ken and Doug Blackburn, one infant brother and one infant sister and his mother-in-law; Stephanie Tanner.

Funeral and Committal Services will take place Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc.. Officiating will be Chaplain James Martin with private interment in Eastlawn Cemetery in Saginaw, Michigan. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. and until the time of service. For those planning an expression of sympathy the family ask that you consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.