Josiah Slaney Blatchford of Watervliet, Michigan passed away at The Merlin and Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan on November 11.

Husband of Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford, he was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son

of Percival J. and Elsie Blatchford.  He graduated from Morgan Park High School, enlisting in the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and spent his professional business career in that field.

In his early twenties, being an intelligent and curious person with an interest in traveling Europe and beyond, Joe booked passage on the steamer, Empress of Australia.  On shipboard he became acquainted with fellow passengers Doreen Johnson and her sister Barbara.  Doreen would become a long time friend and would eventually introduce Joe to Bobbi Ecker, his future wife.

Previous to marrying in 1978, Joe embraced bachelorhood, but would always return to the family summer home on Paw Paw Lake where he enjoyed the woods, the family and sailing on the lake in summer while skating and skiing cross-country in the winter. Bobbi and Joe resided at 1320 N. State Parkway, Chicago, until 3 years ago when they moved permanently to Windermere Cottage on Paw Paw Lake.

He is survived by Bobbi, his wife of 37 years, stepchildren T. Bruce Ecker (Kimberly) and Cynthia Campbell (Lyman) of Waverly, Iowa and nephews Lane (Kathy) Blatchford, Paris, Michigan, Scot Blatchford, Watervliet, Michigan and niece Allison MacLagan of Valparaiso, Indiana as well as dozens of devoted cousins from the Miriam Anderson family.

Celebrations of Life for Joe will take place in the summer of 2016 at Windermere Cottage on Paw Paw Lake, in Iowa at Bruce and Kim's, and also in Chicago, Illinois. The dates and locations of the events will be announced later. Floral tributes will be appreciated at the time of Joe's Celebrations. Memorials should be directed to: Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, Michigan, 49085.  The amazing staff at hospice orchestrated Joe's return to the stars.

Joe was a lifelong member of the Episcopalian faith. Joe and Bobbi agreed on this quote from REVELATION 21:4 –

"…. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death…"

In conclusion, an original poem sent to Joe's Grandfather, John Kerslake Blatchford from Geo. B. Lightfoot, his parish priest on John's departure for America in 1890.

Jesus deliverer, Keep him by Thee.

Guard thou his voyaging over life's sea.

Then when the storm of death

Roars swiftly by,

Whisper, oh truth of truth,

Peace it is I.

Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford – November 11, 2015