Rodney Keith Blakeman, 94, passed away Saturday, Oct. 9, peacefully in his sleep at his home in Evanston. A longtime resident of Evanston, he resided in this community for 65 years after marrying his lifelong companion, Mary Lou Taggart, a resident of Evanston, in 1954, where he helped raise a family and maintained his work career over this period of time.

He was born on Feb. 22, 1927, in Rock River (Albany County) to Harry Donald and Grace Deloris (Chamberlain) Blakeman. He had the company of his parents and siblings William, Patricia, Richard, Stan and Diana while in his early years. He often told stories of events and places in his childhood living in Rock River and growing up into his teens. He was a son of depression years and would humbly tell of how challenging it was for his family at times to have enough but they always got by. He received his formal education in Rock River schools.

He served his country in the Navy during WWII, joining at the early age of 17 years and serving in the Pacific on an aircraft carrier and receiving an honorable discharge when enlistment was up. After his discharge, he spent some time trying to find his niche in life. He even dealt casino blackjack in Las Vegas for a while. He worked with his father, Hal Blakeman, as a roughneck for BlakoOil, which eventually led him to Evanston, working with his father, who was wildcatting for oil.

While working in Evanston, he met and married his lifelong companion, Mary Lou Taggart, on June 14, 1954, and they began to rear a family of eight children: six boys and two girls. Dad and his companion’s calling over the span of their lives was dedicated to watching over providing for and loving their children.

Dad set an example of hard work for the family in their support. Over the years, he worked at various jobs which included roughneck, carpenter, construction work and at one time a police officer for the Evanston Police Department. He was water department supervisor for the City of Evanston for several years from the late ’60s until 1979, when he was called back to work for the Union Pacific Railroad, where he was a hoghead until he retired at the age of 65. Thereafter, he worked part time for Uinta County School District No. 1 in a custodial capacity for several years. He was always good at whatever endeavors he was involved in.

He was a Mason for many years and enjoyed the association of many friends and acquaintances and extended family. He loved to take walks and hikes, especially out in the hills where he would look for artifacts and enjoy the exercise and solitude. He was good at crossword puzzles, often completing them and, for a lengthy time, did one almost every day. He spent hours keeping his yard, all the grass and trees looking nice. He performed most of the minor maintenance on his automobiles.

Dad is survived by his children, Robert (Freida) Blakeman, Timothy (Kris) Blakeman, John Blakeman, Sarah Blakeman, Bill Blakeman, Nellie Blakeman and Tony Blakeman; his 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and his sister, Diana Marlow.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou; a son, Walter James Blakeman; brothers William, Stanley and Richard; and a sister, Patricia.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. He will be laid to rest with his wife in the Evanston City Cemetery, with military honors and Masonic rites, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 12.