Matthew Blackburn Obituary

Matthew Duane Blackburn, 43, of West Frankfort, Illinois went home to be with the Lord on Thursday July 3, 2025 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, MO with pancreatic cancer. Matt was born September 13, 1981 in Carbondale, Illinois to Tim and Vicky (Stanley) Blackburn.
He served in the Air Force and worked for BCBS for 16 years.
He loved to watch movies with his "gorgeous" wife, Rachel. Matt also loved watching and playing golf with his daughter, Kyleigh, and cheering for his daughter, Braylin, at her softball and basketball games. His daughter, Allaina, is in the Air Force and he loved it when she was able to come home for visits.
Matt also loved video gaming with his friends and enjoyed weightlifting.
He was a die-hard Michigan Wolverine fan. Go Blue!
Matt was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Bill Blackburn and Leonard Stanley, as well as his cousin, Benjie Kee.
Matt is survived by his parents; his wife, Rachel (Clark) Blackburn whom he married on October 15th, 2024; daughters: Kyleigh, Braylin, and Allaina; his sisters, Crystal (Michael) Tyson and Leanna (Nathan) Alexander. He is also survived by his nieces, Noaah Grace Tyson and Alana Grace Alexander; his nephews, Eli Tyson and Adrain Alexander. His grandmothers, Rosemary Blackburn and Judith Stanley also survive as well as many uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Services will be at Union Funeral Home- West Frankfort, Illinois on Tuesday, July 8th at 2:00PM with visitation from 12:00-2:00PM prior to the service with Brother David Dyer officiating.
A special "Thank You" to Dr. Stein and all those at MO Baptist ICU who took such great care of Matt. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cancer Center at Missouri Baptist.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.
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