Wilma 'Naomi' Blackford

Wilma “Naomi” Blackford age 89 of Massillon, passed away Thursday evening at Rose Lane Health Care Center. She was born on November 29, 1918 in Buffalo, Ohio to the late Thornton and Chloe (Robinson) Niswonger. Naomi retired from Massillon State Hospital in the 1960’s as a Licensed Practical Nurse, and then became the owner and operator of the Walnut Hills Nursing Home in Massillon until the 1980’s. She enjoyed arts and crafts. Naomi was of the Church of God Faith. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Bert Blackford who passed away in November 1984; brothers, Oscar, Bill and Don Niswonger; sisters, Bessie Grimes, Gail Bates, Ruth Kirkbride and Virgil Jones. Naomi is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Bert (Kathleen) Blackford of Canal Fulton, Robert E. (Elaine) Blackford of Raleigh, NC; sister, Winnie Hill of Massillon; eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Funeral services celebrating Naomi’s life will be held Tuesday at 11:00 AM at the Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon with Rev. Allan R. Brown officiating. Calling hours will be one hour prior to the services on Tuesday. Interment will follow the services at Sunset Hills Burial Park in Canton. Messages of support and sympathy may be made to the family at www.paquelet.com. Paquelet – Massillon A Golden Rule Funeral Home 330 – 833 - 3222