Verle K. BLANKENSHIP

BLANKENSHIP, TOMPKINS, BELL, HILPIPRE, GROTE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/20/2016 at 19:13:36

June 25, 1932 ---- August 21, 2014

LAVALE, MD — Lt. Col. Verle K. Blankenship, 82, died Aug. 21, 2014, at home surrounded by family and friends, after a three-year battle with colon cancer. He leaves behind his wife and best friend, Marliss. They have been married for 59 years. Surviving are daughter, Lisa Tompkins and son-in-law, Dr. William Tompkins, of LaVale; four beloved grandsons, Alex Tompkins and wife, Holly Tompkins, and great-grandson, Grayson, Abilene, Kan., and Luke Tompkins, Will Tompkins, and John Tompkins. Also surviving are Verle’s three sisters, Betty Bell and husband, Keith, Clarion, Iowa, Karen Hilpipre and husband, Harvey, Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Marlene Grote and husband, Richard, Columbus, Ohio. Verle was preceded in death by two daughters, Lynn Blankenship in 2010 and Maura Blankenship in 2005. Verle was a faithful member of Winifred Road Church of Christ, where he served as an elder and Bible teacher for many years. He loved the Lord and his life reflected his faith and trust in God. Verle retired from the Air Force Reserves as a lieutenant colonel in 1983. He and Marliss moved to Kennells Mill, Pa., in 1989, after retiring from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2013, they moved to their new home in LaVale. We want to thank Dr. Greg Donaldson, Dr. Quamar Zaman and the Schwab Cancer Center staff. A special thanks goes to WMHS Home Hospice; especially Laurie, Morgan, Ann, Marycay, Barb and LaDonna. His care was exceptional, they cared for Verle like a member of their own family. Verle’s body was donated to the Maryland Anatomy Board per his request. A celebration of his life will be held at the Winifred Road Church of Christ, 936 Winifred Road, Cumberland, on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, at 2 p.m.

Cumberland Times News -- Maryland
August 2014

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[Burial in Evergreen Cemetery - Clarion, Iowa]