Kenneth E. Blankenship

Kenneth E. Blankenship, 76, of Hillsboro, IL passed away on November 26, 2022, at 11:57 p.m., at Hillsboro Area Hospital in Hillsboro, IL.  A visitation will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro, IL.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 12:00 p.m., at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro, IL.  Rev. Randy Sands and Rev. Ralph Ward will officiate.  Military rites will be accorded, at graveside, by Department of Defense and USMC Veteran Friends.  Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsboro, IL.

Mr. Blankenship was born on July 28, 1946, in Coffeen, IL, to the late Dale E. and Elizabeth Maude (Towell) Blankenship.  He attended Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, IL until joining the U.S. Marines on November 10, 1964, where he received a Purple Heart.  Mr. Blankenship married Karen White, on December 28, 2000, in Coffeen, IL and she survives in Hillsboro, IL.  He had worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Ameren CIPS, in Coffeen, IL, until retiring in 2004.  He was a member of the V.F.W. Post #3912 in Litchfield, IL; American Legion Post #425 in Irving, IL; Hillsboro Moose Lodge #1377 in Hillsboro, IL; and he was a lifetime member of The Marine Corps League Detachment #1385.  

Mr. Blankenship is survives by his wife, Karen Blankenship of Hillsboro, IL; two daughters, Jodi Weller of Springfield, IL and Angie (husband, Bob) Smith of Clarksville, TN; five grandchildren, Michele O’Rourke, Daniel Weller, Justin Smith, Devon Smith & Katie Smith; five great grandchildren, Aubree Cox, Hudson O’Rourke, Emma O’Rourke, Callum O’Rourke & Rowan Smith; three sisters, Kay (husband, Rick) Reymond of Greenville, IL; Karen Werner of Alton, IL & Kathy (husband, Mike) Seidler of Bethalto, IL; Mother-in-Law, Doris White of Litchfield, IL; several nieces and nephews and special friends, Bill and Darla Sykes.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials go to Toys for Tots in Litchfield, IL.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth E. Blankenship, please visit our floral store.