Obituary of Henry L. Blankenship

Henry L. Blankenship (90) longtime St. Maries, ID resident, died July 3, 2013 at St. Maries, ID. He was born May 9, 1923 to William and Sarah (Furr) Blankenship at Ava, Arkansas. Henry grew up in Arkansas and as a young man, left school during the Great Depression to go to work. He lived and worked in California before returning to Arkansas in the late 1930's. In 1940 he followed two of his brothers to St. Joe City, Id. to work for them in their logging operation. He married Polly Herron of Ark. on November 30, 1942 in St. Maries. They had two daughters. She passed away June 8, 1964. Henry entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of World War II in the Philippines where he was a decorated soldier. Henry was a Technician fifth grade with the 164th Infantry. Following his discharge in 1945 he returned to St. Maries. He purchased his own logging truck and worked for Moe's Logging, B.J. Carney and Blankenship Brothers Logging. For many years he worked in the logging industry in the summers and as a service technician for Mottern Ford Garage in the winters. Henry loved logging but in 1961 he joined Mottern Ford Garage full time as their Service Manager and tow truck driver. When Mottern Ford closed their doors, Henry went to work for Chase Chevrolet as a service technician and tow truck driver. He retired in 1993. On March 4, 1967, Henry married Dorothy Moore at Coeur d' Alene, ID. They made their home in St. Maries. Henry enjoyed playing golf, woodworking and spending time with his family. Henry also spent many years helping his brother Sam on his ranch where they raised cattle and hay. After Sam's death, Henry continued taking care of the ranch. He loved the ranch and always felt close to Sam when he was there working. Henry is survived by his wife Dorothy at the family home. Also surviving are his daughters and sons-in-law Rhonda and Tom Stancil and Rita and Don Mueller all of St. Maries, his step-daughters and their husbands Lyla and Darryl Moen of Edmonds, WA, Judy and Bill Macumber of Sandpoint, ID and Joanne and John Shepard of Soldotna, AK. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Henry was preceded in death by step-son James "Rick" McKuin , brothers Marvin, Sam, John, Charles and George Blankenship and sisters Edith Smith, Lucille Tollison, Willie McKelroy, Grace Meek and Ellie Blythe. A Celebration of Henry's life will be held on Thursday July 11, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Maries Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Dan Swan officiating. A gathering of family and friends will follow services in the church Gymnasium. Visit his online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.hodgefuneralhome.com. Read Henry Blankenship's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.