Ernest Charles Blankenship, 88, son of Virgel and Grace Adkins Blankenship, was born July 11, 1914, at Hazelton. He died Oct. 13, 2002, at Rolla. Mr. Blankenship was a member of the New Life Free Will Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl; his parents; and two grandchildren. Surviving are two children, Howard Blankenship of Licking and Eunice Mize of Waynesville; one sister, Opal Copeland of Wentzville; one brother, Vernon Blankenship of Kansas City; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Services were Oct. 15 at the New Life Free Will Baptist Church at Licking with the Rev. Max Courtney officiating. Burial was in the Licking Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. “
