Harold J. “Jim” Blackledge

Harold J. “Jim” Blackledge

Cedar Rapids

Harold J. “Jim” Blackledge, 93, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Meth-Wick Community. Visitation will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 7, 2023, with funeral at 11 a.m. Private committal service will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Jim was born on April 24, 1929, to Harold and Margaret (Krippner) Blackledge in Cedar Rapids. He was married to Mary Ellen Hoover on March 18, 1951, in Winfield. During their marriage they were blessed with a daughter, Debra, and a son, Larry. Jim spent his career working in education before retiring in 1991. Jim loved trains and he and his family took many vacations riding trains through Canada, Mexico and Europe. He could tell you all about every train he rode and often talked his way into riding in the engine. Jim and Mary Ellen also enjoyed taking smaller vacations to Chicago several times a year to see a show and ride the El. Jim greatly enjoyed taking his ninth-graders at Harding Junior High to Chicago to see the shows, and of course, they rode the train.

Jim is survived by children Debra Holbrook of Austin, Texas, and Larry Blackledge of Eau Claire, Wis., three grandchildren, Kristin Deutmeyer, Alyssa Ullrich and Alexandra Blackledge; eight great-grandchildren; as well as sister Janet Blackledge of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Jim was preceded in death by Mary Ellen, his beloved wife of 64 years; brothers, Leroy Blackledge of Tuscon, Ariz., and Wayne Blackledge of Indianapolis, Ind.; and his parents Harold and Margaret.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.