Mrs. Roberta Jane "Bobbie" Blackburn, 86, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully of natural causes at her home on Sunday, April 9, 2023. She was born on February 8, 1937, in Plymouth, Illinois to the late Gerald D. and Mary D. Mullen (Hawkins). Along with her parents, Bobbie is preceded in death by her late husband Thomas Blackburn, a brother Thomas Mullen, and a sister Sheryl Strange.

Surviving Bobbie are her loving children R. John (Julie) Elmer of Noblesville, Doug (Angie) Elmer of Ft. Myers, Florida and Laura (Rick) Rudicil of Elkhart; grandchildren Josh (Piper) Elmer, Trent and Gracie Elmer, Collin and Ryan Rudicil, Amanda (David) Robertson and Kelsie (Cameron Kunstler) Elmer; great grandchildren Layla and Hunter Reardon, Crimsyn and Aniston Robertson, Mya Winn, Kaeden Kunstler, McKenzie Elmer and Lilly Paterna; and a whole host of extended family, good friends and regular acquaintances whom will miss her dearly.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart have been assisting the family with cremation arrangements. There will be no local services. Bobbie will be returned to Bridgeport, Illinois for a private family burial.

Roberta thrived at being a "social butterfly".  She was most happy when making other people happy.  She loved her family dearly, loved all her friends, and thrived in spreading good cheer to just about anyone. Bobbie loved life and it was apparent in the way she approached and interacted with people. She was extremely generous and supported many charities.

She was an excellent cook, was an avid golfer (enjoying many years and good friends at Elcona Country Club in Elkhart and Fiddlesticks Country Club in Ft. Myers).  She loved all things affiliated with Indiana University.  She and husband Tom established an endowed scholarship that will provide scholarships for years to come.  She greatly enjoyed having lunch and dinner out with her friends. She always enjoyed her childhood connections in Bridgeport, Illinois, but also visited places over the years like Scotland, Saudi Arabia, Africa and throughout continental Europe. She made friends everywhere she went, and she enjoyed telling stories about her travels.

Friends and family may leave memories, condolences and pictures on Bobbie's obit page on the Billings Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (or another Parkinson's charity) or to the Humane Society of Elkhart County.  Thank you for your interest in her life story!

Elkhart County Humane Society
54687 County Road 19, Bristol IN 46507
Tel: 1-574-848-4225
Web: http://www.info@elkharthumanesociety.org

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
PO Box 5014, Hagerstown MD 21741
Tel: 1-800-708-7644
Email: donations@michaeljfox.org
Web: https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout

Any Parkinson's Disease Organization of Your Choice