Gilbert Luther Blankenship

Blankenship, Gilbert Luther Age 83, of Newark, passed away Saturday afternoon, April 21, 2012 at Valley West Community Hospital in Sandwich surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m Wednesday at West Lisbon Church, rural Newark. Pastor Steven Lombardo II will officiate. Interment will follow at West Lisbon Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 until 8:00 p.m. at the church. Gilbert was born March 29, 1929 in Somonauk, Illinois, the son of Luther and Zetta (Hawkins) Blankenship. He attended schools in Somonauk and Newark. He married Lois Nelson on September 3, 1949 and they spent the next 62 years happily married. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle who will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. He had a firm handshake and an encouraging word for everyone he met. Gilbert was a man of faith. He was a devoted member of the West Lisbon Church where he held many offices over the years. He served on Lisbon and Newark school boards. Always interested in young people and sports, he officiated many basketball games and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. An active member in 4-H and FFA in his younger years, he pursued a career in farming, raising livestock and grain in the Newark area. He was always proud to be called a farmer. In the 1960's, he and Lois pursued a second career in retail, operating children's and ladies' apparel stores. He is survived by his loving wife, Lois; their five children, Pam (Rod) Chally of Jacksonville, Fl., Steve (Martha) Blankenship of Newark, Gary (Jill) Blankenship of Sheridan, Nancy (Joel) Ottosen of Yorkville and Susan (Rick) Wojak of Sugar Grove; his grandchildren, Jennifer Chally, Jon (Jeanna) Chally, Stephanie Blankenship, Scott (Danielle) Blankenship, Kelly (Tyler) Simmons, Matt Stege, Emily Stege, Mike Ottosen, Mark Wojak and David Wojak; three great grandchildren, Ashley Buzen, Grace Chally and Leighton Chally; nieces, nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Rose Smith, Myrtle Abbott and Lucille Seaton; special nephew, Gene claude. Memorials may be directed to the West Lisbon Church. For more information, call 815-942-0700 or sign the private online guestbook at www.frulandfuneralhome.com. Fruland Funeral Home, 121 W. Jefferson St., in Morris is in charge of arrangements.