Carl E Blankenship Obituary (2013 - 2013)

Carl E. Blankenship, 67, of Decatur, died at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 2, 2013, in Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis. The family is hosting a celebratory potluck at Spitler Woods State Park in Mt. Zion, IL on Monday January 7, 2013, from 12:00-7:00. Cremation will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family or the donor's choice. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Carl was born February 24, 1945, the son of Fernie C. and Cinda E. (Sweetland) Blankenship. He was retired from Prairie Central Concrete and served in the US Army. Surviving are his beloved son and daughter-in-law: Carl and Patricia Blankenship and their three children: Lainey, Alan, and Dustin; sisters: Nancy Leslie and her husband Jim and Wanda Maria; brothers: Darrell Blankenship and Dale Blankenship and his wife Pat; special nephews: Ralph Leslie, Jimmy Leslie, and Charlie Tarvin; special nieces: Cindy Leslie, Ella Williams and Nancy Walker; fishing buddy: Bill Henson; gardening buddy: Ted Maddox; and his constant companion: Lucky. He is also survived by several other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, and five brothers. Carl enjoyed gardening, fishing, cooking for his family, and playing with Lucky. He also enjoyed sharing morning coffee with his son and attending car shows with him. The family would like to thank the CVU Unit at DMH Hospital and the ICU Unit at Barnes Jewish Hospital for their wonderful care and compassion they showed Carl and his family. Obituary written by his family