Blankenship, Charles M. 1943-2023

BLANKENSHIP, WATERMAN, NEWGARD

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/24/2023 at 13:22:07

Charles “Chuck” Blankenship, age 79, of Laurens, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa.

Charles Marvin Blankenship was born June 30, 1943 in Hawarden, Iowa. He was the son of John and Wanda (Waterman) Blankenship. Chuck attended West Sioux High School, then entered the United States Navy, serving aboard the U.S.S. Hornet from 1960 to 1964. Following his military service, he returned to Hawarden working in manufacturing. In 1970, he began work as a track inspector and machine operator for Chicago Northwestern Railroad. In 1972, Chuck moved to Laurens, continuing to work for the railroad, which later became Union Pacific Railroad. On November 12, 1977, Chuck was united in marriage to Karen Newgard in Laurens. The couple settled in Laurens. Chuck retired from the railroad in 2003 and began working for the Laurens-Marathon Schools as a custodian, which he did until his full retirement in 2013.

Chuck was a member of the First Christian Church, where he served as Elder and Deacon. He was also a member of the Marathon American Legion and the Laurens V.F.W. He enjoyed reading, bowling, having coffee with friends, working crossword puzzles and telling jokes and stories.

Survivors include his wife, Karen of Laurens; children, John (Erin) Blankenship of Hawarden, Julie Ymker of Sioux Falls, Jade Bos of Shelby, NC, Stacy (Michelle) Newgard of Milford, Aaron (Jenny) Blankenship of Clive and Miranda (Heath) Carlson of Wellington, MO; 11 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sisters, Vicki Perkins of Ankeny, Jeanne Gevik of Sioux City and Lynette Farnham of Ankeny, and a brother, Dan Blankenship of Jackson, MS. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents.