John L. Blindert, 87, of Spearfish died Monday, August 10, 2009 at his daughter's home in Black Hawk.

Visitation will be from 3:00p.m. until 5:00p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Vigil services will follow at 7:00p.m. at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish, with Deacon Tom Freece officiating.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2009 at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, with Father Timothy Castor as Celebrant, burial will follow at 12:30p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with full military honors by the Spearfish Honor Guard. John was a World War II veteran.

Memorials may be directed to Dorsett Regional Senior Care in Spearfish.

John was born February 25, 1922 to Gabe and Alpha (Hanson) Blindert. He was raised in Perkins County, near Bison, SD. He graduated from Lemmon High School in 1940. John worked as a carpenter and at Douglas Air Craft Company in Long Beach, CA, prior to enlisting in the United States Army/Air Corp in 1942. John served in World War II and was stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Ankorage, AK, until 1945. He left the military as a Staff Sergeant.

John married Ethel Emma Even on September 5, 1942 in Long Beach at Saint Matthews Catholic Church. The couple eventually moved to Hettinger, ND, where John started his career with Fullerton Lumber Company. He worked there for nearly 40 years retiring in 1982 as manager. John and his family lived in Winner, SD, from 1953 to 1982. They were members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner. John was also involved with the construction of the church's rectory. He and his wife moved to Spearfish in 1982 where they managed the Harvard Estates and Jackson Heights Apartments. In the fall of 1993 they moved to Mitchell, SD, and then returned to Spearfish in 2000. They were members of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish.

He was a life time member of the VFW, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a fireman with the Winner Volunteer Fire Department.

John is survived by his wife, Ethel Blindert of Spearfish, four daughters; Sharon (Ron) Love, San Antonio, TX, Mary (Harry) Axemaker, Mitchell, SD, Liz Blindert, Rapid City, SD, and Marty (Rich) Willms, Black Hawk, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Eunice, his son Byron Leo Blindert and his grandson Casey Madison.