Emil Dee Blackorby, 89, of Novinger, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday (May 20, 2014) at his home.

The son of Olie Monroe and Iva Opal (Eitel) Blackorby, he was born January 19, 1925 in Stahl, Missouri. On June 8, 1945 in Novinger, Missouri, Emil was united in marriage to Lola Dale Sharp.

Emil is survived by his wife, Lola of sixty-eight years; two sons, Lavern Blackorby and wife, Vickie of Novinger, MO and Gary Blackorby and Lori Pratte of Jefferson City, MO; one sister, Darlene Bibiee of Kansas City, MO; ten grandchildren, Karla Davison and husband Charlie, Kevin Blackorby and wife Diane, Keith Blackorby and fiancée, Megan Cook, Kara Schnell and husband Shawn, Megan Blackorby, Nikki Morgenstern and husband Stacy, Joey Allen and wife Becky, Melissa Colvin and husband Rob, Chad Blackorby and Jessica Gottman and Jake Blackorby; sixteen great-grandchildren, Adam and Paige Davison, Renatta Blackorby, Racquel Schmepp, Charlee Blackorby, Karson Cook, Logann Hall, Austin and Aden Jones, Collin and Kyndal Schnell, Kyle and Taryn Morgenstern, Elliana Jo and Dane Allen, and Carson and Madison Gottman, as well as two great great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Olie Monroe Jr. and Isador Blackorby.

Emil resided his entire life in Novinger and was a graduate from Adair County R-I Novinger High School. Emil served in the United States Air Army Corp during WWII. Emil received his honorary Ph.D. and was employed as a director of instrumentation at KCOM forty-five years until retiring. He loved the challenge of electronics and built the first satellite receiver in north Missouri. On the side, Emil also repaired many organs and player pianos in the area.

Emil enjoyed traveling and camping with his wife Lola and they enjoyed following their grandchildren’s sporting events.

Emil served as President of the Novinger School Board for ten years, served on Novinger City Council for several years, was secretary/treasurer for the Novinger Baseball/Softball Association for many years. He was a Charter member of the Novinger Lions Club, was Board member and volunteer of the Novinger Fire Department and from 1968, was involved with Novinger Planned Progress.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, (May 27, 2014) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with pastor Darrell Crooks officiating. Music selections will be provide by Twila Jones who will be accompanied by Dianthe Cable, organist. Interment will follow the service at Novinger Cemetery in Novinger.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday (May 27, 2014) for one hour before the service in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Blackorby, Keith Blackorby, Chad Blackorby, Jake Blackorby, Charlie Davison and Shawn Schnell. Honorary bearers will be Joey Allen, Rob Colvin, Stacy Morgenstern, Austin Jones, Aden Jones and Adam Davison.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Emil Blackorby may be made to the Adair County R-I Athletic Department. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.