Dr. G.L. "Doc" Blansett

Dr. G.L. "Doc" Blansett died in his home after a brief illness, surrounded by his family on Monday, June 14, 2010. He was born October 21, 1925, in Versailles, Ill., to Paul L. and Deane Blansett. The family moved from Bluffs, Ill., to Winchester, Ill., where he graduated from high school in 1943. After one term at Western Illinois University, he enlisted in the Navy, serving 3 years as a medical corpsman. Upon his return from the Navy, he graduated from Western Illinois University in 1949. He began work for the DX Petroleum Corporation as a traveling Bulk Plant Auditor. On August 20, 1950, he married Ruth Marie Boon in Macomb, Ill. Graduating from Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine, Chicago, Ill., in 1956 he began his first practice in Macomb, Ill. After 11 years he relocated his family to Springfield, Mo., where he retired in 1993. Doc, as he was fondly called, is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Ruth; daughter, Cynthia (Joseph) Gillespie of Wildwood, Mo.; son, Dr. Thomas (Patricia) Blansett; granddaughter, McKinley Grace Blansett, who could always make him smile, of Fordland, Mo.; brother-in-law, Richard (Carol) Boon; uncle to Peter (Rose) Blansett, Jean Leto, and Lynn Ann Boon; cousin to Linda (Don) Brown of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Judy Porter of Denver, Colo. Dr. Blansett was a proud and faithful member of St. Paul United Methodist Church where he participated in many activities including a 40 year association with Crosslines. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; his brother, Bruce Blansett; and sister-in-law, Melva Blansett. Doc was an avid walker for more than 30 years, loved Big Band and Dixieland music and enjoyed camping in his many travel trailers. He was a member of Kiwanis Club, Jaycees and YMCA Board in Illinois and the Springfield Vintage Antique Car Club in Springfield, where he proudly displayed his bright yellow 1947 Willys Jeep Truck. He will be long remembered for many anonymous kindnesses. The visitation will be in Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home on Thursday, June 17, 2010 from 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held in St. Paul United Methodist Church on Friday, June 18, 2010 at 11 a.m. Private committal services will be held Friday morning in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, General Fund, 413 E. Walnut Springfield, MO, 65806, or donations of canned goods to the St. Paul UMC Crosslines pantry. Online condolences can be shared at www.hhloh meyer.com.