George Hoyt Blankenship

George Hoyt Blankenship was born May 23, 1912, at Ridgley, Missouri. He was the son of Samuel Hoyt and Ola Mae (Hamner) Blankenship. When he was a young boy, he moved with his family to Absarokee, Montana, in 1916, to homestead land. The family returned to Franklin County, Kansas in 1927, because of Mr. Blankenship's father's health. He moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1934, returning to Franklin County in 1971, where he made his home until his death Wednesday, January 15, 2003, at the age of ninety years. Mr. Blankenship was employed as a Production Worker by Leeds General Motors Plant in Kansas City, Missouri, for thirty-seven years, from 1934 until his retirement in 1971. He had previously farmed in Franklin County from 1927 to 1934. He was a former member of the Leeds Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri. He was a fifty-year member of McKinley Lodge #41, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Pomona, and member of United Auto Workers #93, Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Blankenship was a simple man with simple needs, who appreciated everything, especially his family. He loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. And, his great grandchildren brought him so much joy. He liked working on his farm and cutting firewood and, in his younger years, working with horses and giving rides to his grandchildren on a springboard wagon. On September 4, 1937, George was united in marriage with Lola Marie Whitacre at Paola, Kansas. They shared over sixty-five years together. She survives of their home. He is also survived by two daughters, Lois Anne Bruner and her husband, Warren F., of Rantoul, Linda Kistner and her husband, Kenneth, of Williamsburg; two sisters, Margaret Knight of Lyndon, Lois Myers of Centropolis; three grandsons, Gail Bruner and his wife, Vania, of Rantoul, Randy Bruner and his wife, Nicol, of Ottawa, John McGrath and his wife, Kristen, of Ottawa; one granddaughter, Angela Roberts, and her husband, 1st Lt. Corey Roberts, of San Angelo, Texas; four great grandsons, Luke Bruner, Logan Bruner, Bryce Bruner, Brayden Bruner; stepgrandson, Berry Kistner; stepgranddaughter, Genella Lewallen; two step great granddaughters, Kayla and Stephanie; step great grandson, Zachary; and, many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Cathryn Blankenship, Vida Rice, Bessie Neith, Bird Slankard; brother, Everett Blankenship; granddaughter, Lois Shere' Ruby; and, grandson, Ronald Vincent Ruby SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2003, with Lodge services by McKinley Lodge #41, A.F. & A.M. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Richard Dunn. IN STATE: Mr. Blankenship will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 9:00 a.m. Friday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggest memorials to Children's Mercy Hospital, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through www.dengelmortuary.com.