Iva Jean Blackman

July 10, 1927 - June 29, 2019

Iva Jean (Coon) Blackman, age 91 of Lake, passed away at her home on Saturday, June 29, 2019. On July 10, 1927, Iva was born in West Monroe, Louisiana. She then was united in marriage to Enoch Blackman on Christmas Eve, 1948. The pair enjoyed nearly fifty-two years of marriage together until the time of Enoch’s passing in 2000. Iva began her work career at age fourteen when she joined the telephone operators team of the Southern Bell Telephone Company. She continued her career in Colorado at Mountain Bell Telephone Company. Thirty-six years later, Iva retired as Supervisor. When she wasn’t busy fulfilling her favorite passion of quilting, Iva could usually be found reading, working on word search puzzles and intricate coloring books or watching either Lawrence Welk or the Golden Girls. Everybody that knew Iva will miss her sense of humor too. Iva is survived by her daughter Debra (Scott) Henfling of Lake, MI., her grandchildren Derek (Alisha) Henfling of Traverse City, MI., Elise Henfling of Traverse City, MI., and James Henfling of Salt Lake City, UT., and her great-grandchildren Landon, Madalyn, Molly, and Lily Henfling. She is also survived by her siblings Louise Van Skyock and Virginia Fox. Iva was preceded in death by her husband Enoch Blackman, her parents Alfred and Birdie Coon, and her children Brenda Sue Blackman and David Alan Blackman. A funeral service in honor of Iva will take place on Monday, July 8, 2019 at the Farwell Chapel of the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home at 12:00 P.M. with Pastor John Kasper officiating. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Monday from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service at 12:00 P.M. Burial will take place in the Traverse City Memorial Garden Cemetery on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. Memorial contributions in honor of Iva may be directed toward the Salvation Army. Those that are unable to attend may leave an online condolence on the Blackman family page at www.stephenson-wyman.com