Obituary of Daniel A. Blankenship

Daniel A. Blankenship (69) longtime St. Maries, ID resident, died Nov. 4, 2012 at St. Maries following an extended illness. He was born September 3, 1943 to Jess and Jacqueline (Schoolcraft) Blankenship at Coeur d' Alene, ID. He grew up and was educated in Lewiston, ID. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1961 and served with the Navy Seabee's stationed in Guam and other duty stations in the So. Pacific. He was discharged in 1964 and moved to Clarkia, ID. He worked for Diamond International there. Dan's other types of employment included working as a bartender for the Eagles Lodge in Libby, MT and St. Maries Eagles Lodge manager and bartender. Dan married Pat Gibson on January 1, 1983 at Judge Sam Irvine's home in St. Maries. He left his Eagles manager position to go to work for the Benewah Co. Sheriff's department as a detention deputy and cook. Dan also owned and operated Blankenship Property Maintance. In the late 1980's he went to work for the City of St. Maries as the Woodlawn Cemetery Sextant. He was instrumental in locating and documenting most all of the plots in the cemetery. He worked for the City for 11 years and retired in 1998 due to illness. Dan enjoyed fishing, fishing and fishing. He also took pride in his garden, loved working on automobiles, and was an avid fan of the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Seattle Mariners. Dan was a member of the St. Maries Eagles Lodge , American Legion Post # 25 and the V.F.W. Post of St. Maries. He is survived by his wife Pat at the family home in St. Maries. Son Joey Blankenship and daughter Shana Murphy both of Coeur d' Alene, ID Step-sons and wives Larry and Kari Gibson of St. Maries and Mike and Nikki Gibson of Montesano, WA. Also surviving are brothers Ray Blankenship and wife Linda of Mt. Home, ID and John Blankenship and wife Linda of Clarkston, WA. Also surviving are his sister Jeanette Turner and husband Fred of Clarkia ID, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Jay and Jim Blankenship. Services for Dan will be held at a later date and time to be announced inl the Gazette Record. Visit his online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.hodgefuneralhome.com Read Daniel Blankenship's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.