Obituary

Ricky Blankenship, 57, of Wolcottville died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 20, 2011, in the emergency room at Cameron Hospital in Angola.

Mr. Blankenship had attended Prairie Heights High School. He worked for 36 years at Morgan Olson in Sturgis, Michigan.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid fan of Kentucky basketball.

He was born June 25, 1954, in Martin, Kentucky, to Mitch and Alphia (Kaiser) Blankenship. On March 26, 2009, in LaGrange, he married Wilma Slone.

Surviving are his wife, Wilma Blankenship of Wolcottville; his mother, Alphia Blankenship; a son, Travis Duane (Vivian) Blankenship of Rome City; a stepson, Ben (Linda) Castle of Rome City; three stepdaughters, Sharon (Wade) Cheek of Texas, Lisa Castle of Kokomo, and Charmin (Patrick) Baxter of Kendallville; 14 grandchilren, Amanda Lower, Shane Honaker, Jr., Cory Honaker, Cyrstal Castle, Danyiel Lower, Michael Cheek, Sarah Cheek, Dakota Hicks, Alex Padilla, Ryan Castle, Holly Castle, Kiarah Baxter, Hannah Baxter, and Kirsten Dickmeyer; a great granddaughter, Kyrie Honaker; two brothers, Mike (Margaret) Blankenship of Stroh and Doug (Jill) Blankenship of Hudson; a sister, Jeanetta (Wilgus "JR") Slone of Helmer; three nephews, Brandon Blankenship, Chad Blankenship, and Austin Keck; and two nieces, April Blankenship and Jennifer Polly.

He was preceded in death by his father, Mitch Blankenship; a brother, Donnie Blankenship; and a stepdaughter, Tracy Ann Hicks.

Funeral services will be Monday, July 25, 2011, at 11 a.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Wolcottville Chapel, State Road 9 North, Wolcottville, with Rev. Willie Collins officiating. Burial will be in Woodruff Cemetery.

Calling is Sunday, July 24, 2011, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home and one hour prior to services on Monday..

Preferred memorials are to the family.

View a video tribute after Sunday or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfunerahome.com