Kenneth E. Blankenship, 77, US Navy First Class during WWII
Kenneth E. Blankenship, 77, died Thursday, August 8, 2002 at Community Health Partners, Hospital and Surgical Center, Lorain, following a sudden illness.Born November 25, 1924 in Betsy, KY, he lived in Lorain for the 45 years.
He served in the US Navy as Seaman First Class during WWII and received the Asiatic-Pacific Victory medal with one star and the Philippine Liberation American Area medal.
Kenneth was employed as a crane operator at US Kobe Steel for 35 years. He enjoyed reading and was a member of United Steel Workers Union Local #1104.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Waltraud (nee Cekan); 4 brothers, Lionel of Chino Valley, AZ, Larry of Pioneer, CA, Prentice of Sacramento, CA, and Medrow of West Point, CA; and 3 sisters, Evelyn Palmer of Ft. Myers, FL, Geraldine Chenault and Lazel Elkins, both of Pikesville, KY.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hiram and Hessie (nee Davis) Blankenship, and sister, Willa May Clevinger.
Private services were held by Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain.