Floyd D. "Pretty Boy Floyd" "Shorty" Blakney

Floyd D. "Pretty Boy Floyd" "Shorty" Blakney, age 84, passed away Sunday morning April 17, 2022 with his family by his side. He was born in Lansing, Michigan on November 19, 1937, the son of Thomas and Marjorie (Rose) Blakney. Floyd proudly & faithfully served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1955 -1962. He retired from Walmart in 2019 after more than 10 years of service.

Floyd married the "Love of His Life", Dawn Marie McPeake in Battle Creek on January 22, 1978; she sadly preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Johnathan Wayne Blakney and Timothy Blakney; a granddaughter, Sonja Rose Youmans; and a daughter-in-law, Laura Lea Blakney. Floyd is survived by his children, Barb (Tim) Vroman of Coldwater, Vickie (Dan) Barnett of Litchfield, Tammy (Terry) Youmans of Battle Creek; Don (Pam) Blakney of Vermontville, Terry Lee Blakney of Lansing and Steve Blakney of Marshall; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and special friends, Dan Sechler, Kerri Atkins and Amy Owens. The family would especially like to thank Amy Owens and the entire staff at Colonial House West for the wonderful & loving care they gave to Floyd over the last several months.

Floyd was a member of the Bethel Gilead Community Church in Bronson where he enjoyed going to church and singing in the choir. He also enjoyed watching & playing sports, riding his moped, fishing, camping and traveling. Floyd loved spending time with his family and was always looking for that next joke to make those around him smile.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 22nd at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek where funeral services to celebrate his life will be held 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 23rd. The service will be Livestreamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/700481373. Interment with military honors will follow at Bedford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, Elara Caring Hospice and/or the Wounded Warrior Project. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Floyd may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.