Ella Mae Blankenship

1924 - 2016

Ella Mae Blankenship 1924 - 2016
Ella Mae Blankenship, 91, of Springfield, died at 4:25 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center.
Mae was born December 13, 1924 in Cass County, IL, the daughter of Elmer I. and Lily Bible Woods.
Mae was valedictorian of her class when she graduated from Ashland High School and graduated from Brown's Business College. She was employed as an accountant with the State of Illinois until her retirement after 30 years of service. She also worked for E.C. Coffee Shop at Laketown Lanes for several years, where she also enjoyed bowling. Mae was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Larry and Dick Blankenship; grandson, Michael J. Blankenship; great-granddaughter, Paighton Harbour; and three siblings, Delbert Woods, Edith Campo and Chuck Woods.
She is survived by her children, Mike (wife, Laura) Blankenship, Trish (husband Dave – deceased) O'Shea, Kathy (husband, Randy) Herr, and Mary (husband, Don) Chance, all of Springfield; ten grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; brother, Les Woods of Springfield; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cremation was accorded by Lincoln Land Cremation Society.
The family will host a Celebration of Life from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at KC—Devereaux Heights, 2801 West St., Springfield.
Private family burial will be held at Bethel Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to: SIDS Alliance of Illinois, 6010 State Route 53, Suite A, Lisle, IL 60532 or Compassionate Friends, P.O. Box 3696, Oak Brook, IL 60523.