The Rev. Dennis Darrel Blankenship, 87, of Decatur, went to his Heavenly home Tuesday (Nov. 13, 2018) in Decatur.

 

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Decatur, with visitation from 9 a.m. until service time at the church. A graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Randolph Township Cemetery, Heyworth. Memorials in the Rev. Dennis Blankenship's honor may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church.

 

Dennis was born Feb. 28, 1931, in Ramsey, son of Kenneth and Edith Holtcamp Blankenship. He married Marian Seitz on Nov. 22, 1953, in Decatur.

 

The Rev. Blankenship was a Southern Baptist minister and was ordained on Jan, 6, 1952, in Farmer City. He was instrumental in starting Vale, Heyworth and Springfield churches. He was a pastor in Beecher City, Heyworth, Farmer City, Girard, Springfield, Gillespie, Lincoln, and was senior adult pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church.

 

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marian, of Decatur; children, Diane (Mike) Peterson, Heyworth; Debra (Bob) Shannon, Heyworth; Melody (Jeff) Roof, Atlanta; and Mark (Pam) Blankenship, Springfield; 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; and brother, Norris (Linda) Blankenship, Fredericktown, Mo.

 

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, Decatur, at www.brintlingerandearl.com.