John J. Blankenship Sr.

John J. Blankenship, Sr., 67, Topeka, died Sat., Sept. 17, 2005. He was born June 15, 1938 in Topeka, the son of Roy Sr. and Sadie Young Blankenship. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Hayden High in 1958. John served his country in the Naval Reserves. He worked for Southwestern Bell for 42 years, retiring in 2001. On Sept. 3, 1960, he and Carol Raynor were married at St. Joseph Church. She survives. John was a member of Sacred Heart Church. He volunteered for Adoration at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church for 10 years. He was a member of the Moose, member and past president of CWA Local #6401, and the Telephone Pioneers. Other survivors include his sons, John Jr., and David, both of Topeka, and Jerry, Albuquerque NM; his brothers, Roy Jr., Topeka, Charles, Fredericksburg, Tex.: sisters, Virginia Smith, Independence MO, and Mary Jones, Mansfield Center, Conn.; three grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Howard and Leonard; and one sister, Ocea Sherretts. Mr. Blankenship will lie in state from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Church, with family visitation from 6:30 to 8. A prayer service will be at 7 p.m. at the Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to Sacred Heart Church and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd., Topeka KS 66614. Online condolences may be sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com. John J. Blankenship Sr.