Eric Blackburn, 68, of Jacksonville, IL, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.

He was born July 15, 1956, in New York City, NY, the son of Edward and Hazel P. (Brown) Blackburn. Eric is survived by his brothers and sisters, Edward Blackburn (deceased wife, Judy), Sylvia Blackburn, Angela Blackburn, Morris (Frances) Blackburn, Francine Blackburn (Tina Williams), Benedetta Wright, and Kelletta (Greg) Blackburn, and several beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Eric graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1974. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army. While working in local nursing homes and at Passavant Memorial Hospital as a CNA, he went back to school at MacMurray College. He graduated from MacMurray in 1998, double majoring in social work and special education. He also graduated from Lincoln Land Community College with an associate's degree in criminal justice.

Mr. Blackburn was an educator for 25 years at the Jacksonville Developmental Center. After its closing in 2012, he taught special education at Springfield and Jacksonville schools, mainly at Jefferson Middle School in Springfield for 20+ years. Eric also taught prisoners at Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mt. Sterling. He absolutely loved being an educator.

Eric liked computer games, gardening, raising birds, reading science fiction, and fishing. He also loved music, singing, and dancing. Eric enjoyed shopping at resale shops and local stores. He was very proud of his family and an all-around good guy.

A funeral service with military honors will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Friends may visit from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Cremation rites will be accorded after the service. Memorial donations in memory of Eric may be made to the Salvation Army in Jacksonville. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at buchanancody.com.