Gary Dean Blankenship, 74, of Mt. Vernon, passed away on November 16, 2022, at his home.
He was born June 22, 1948, in Marion County, Illinois, the son of Clayton and Wava Marcene (Lowery) Blankenship. On April 16, 1969, in Mt. Vernon, he married Janet Sue Ellis, and she survives in Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Blankenship was a Veteran of the United States Air Force and worked as an aircraft mechanic on T-31s, F-105s, and F-4s. He then worked as a delivery driver for UPS for 25 years. He loved airplanes of every kind and would track them on his flight app. He also flew ultralights. He attended Farrington Grade School and was a graduate of Salem Township High School. He loved camping with his grandkids.
In addition to his wife of 53 years, Janet Blankenship, he is survived by one daughter, Melanie Lynn Warner and husband Jamey of Mt. Vernon; two grandchildren, Ella Marie Warner of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Jesse Thomas Warner of Mt. Vernon; brother, Tom L. Blankenship and wife Jean of Bryan, Ohio; niece, Melinda Sprow and husband Mike of Defiance, Ohio; nephew, Chris Blankenship and wife Crystal of Liberty Center, Ohio; special cousin, Diana Hirons of Bluford, Illinois; special sister-in-law, Anita Royce and husband Ralph of Tempe, Arizona; and many special friends and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Wava Blankenship; and grandparents, Gretta (Minor) and Jess Lowery, and Fred and Belle (Bond) Blankenship.
Funeral services for Mr. Blankenship will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 21, 2022, at the Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Marty Mills and Gale Lowery officiating. Burial will follow at East Salem Cemetery, with graveside military rites accorded by American Legion Post #141, of Mt. Vernon. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of service, Monday, November 21, 2022, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Legion, Post #141, or to the East Salem Cemetery, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.
