Walter E. Blankenstein

STOVERSTOWN Walter E. Blankenstein, 72, passed away at 10:21 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at York Hospital, following a brief illness. He was the loving husband of Patricia A. (Flickinger) Blankenstein, with whom he was blessed with almost 44 years of marriage. The funeral service for Mr. Blankenstein will be held in celebration and thanksgiving for his life at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 4767 Lehman Road, Spring Grove, with his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Bradley H. Dayett, officiating. Viewing will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday at the church. He will be laid to rest in St. Paul's Union Cemetery, Stoverstown. Irwin Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Spring Grove is coordinating arrangements. Walter was born August 2, 1936, in Spry, a son of the late William E. and Edith M. (Markey) Blankenstein. He graduated from William Penn High School with the Class of 1954 and attended St. Paul's College in Concordia, Mo., from 1954-1956. He retired from Met-Ed in 1996 following 33 years of loyal employment as a utility worker. He was a member of the IBEW and the MetEd retirees group. Following his retirement, Walt worked for the Census Bureau and also served as tax collector for North Codorus Twp. Airman 3C Blankenstein was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1957 to 1958. Walt was an active and faithful member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school for almost 40 years and sang on the church choir for over 20 years. He enjoyed playing his clarinet at different venues with the Brodbecks Band and loved to travel with his family to a variety of destinations, especially the beach. In addition to his wife, Patty, he will be sadly missed by his daughter, Lisa M. Bahn and her husband, Timothy of Abbottstown; his son, Michael E. Blankenstein and his wife, Lisa of Souderton, Montgomery Co.; five beloved grandchildren, Nathan and Leanne Bahn, and Matthew, Evan, and Garrett Blankenstein; and a special nephew, Brian McNamara of York. Walter was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur R. Blankenstein, and a sister, Elizabeth A. Blankenstein. Contributions in memory of Mr. Blankenstein will be gratefully accepted c/o the Memorial Fund of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 4767 Lehman Road, Spring Grove, PA 17362. Memories may be shared at www.irwinfuneralhome.co m