Gregory McKinley Blankenship

Gregory M. Blankenship age 52 of Brandon formerly of Crestline, OH died on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at the Evansville Care Center. A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 PM on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Monday, August 10, 2015 at the Anderson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service Tuesday. OBITUARY Gregory McKinley Blankenship was born on December 23, 1962 in Mansfield, Ohio to John and Norma “Rusty” (Salto) Blankenship. He graduated High School in Crestline, Ohio and attended Pioneer Joint Vocational School for welding. Greg enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1982 where he attended basic training in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He served on bases in Scotts Air Force Base in Illinois, Naval Air Station Keflavik in Iceland, and Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. Greg was honorably discharged in 1986. After his military service, Greg then returned back to Galion, OH and started working at Baja Boats. He got to assemble a boat that was named boat of the year in 1990. In 1996, Greg moved to Alexandria to be near his parents, where he worked at various manufacturing plants before his injury in 2004. Greg was a member of the Brandon American Legion Post 278, and the AMVETS Post 31. He enjoyed fishing and hunting; football which he loved watching Ohio State and the Cleveland Browns; music which included a lot of rock-n-roll, and Hank Williams Jr which he belonged to his fan club. He was a self-taught musician and loved playing guitar and even called his guitars his kids. He was also very talented playing the harmonica. Greg enjoyed spending time with his Mom and watching Jeopardy and the news with her. Greg died on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at the Evansville Care Center at the age of 52. He is survived by his mom, Norma “Rusty”; sister, Karmen Myers of Crestline, OH; nephew, Christopher (Marissa) Clever; niece, Tiffany (Erik) Petersen; great-nieces, Madilyn, Trinity, and Sophia; uncles, Norm (Bonnie) Salto, Robert (Louise) Blankenship, Jay Blankenship; aunts, Margaret Brown, and Doris Ann (Fred) Houschins. Greg is preceded in death by his dad, John; aunts, Darlious Dandy, Mary Whitcomb, and Judy Milligan; uncle, Walter Blankenship and Buford Blankenship; half-uncles, Harry, and George; half-aunt, Marion; paternal grandparents, Walter and Bessie Blankenship; and maternal grandparents, Mary Salto and James Trollope. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with Reverend Sarah Evenson officiating. Interment was in White Garden Cemetery in LaGrand Township. Military Honors were provided by the Brandon American Legion Post 278 and the Minnesota National Honor Guard.

Gregory McKinley Blankenship

December 23, 1962 - August 6, 2015