Mr. Donald Edward Blankenship, 74 of Lake City, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Lake City.  Mr. Blankenship was born in Peach Creek, West Virginia to the late Carney and Olive Whitman Blankenship.  He was a graduate of Logan High School in Logan, WV and attended the  Chattanooga State University in Chattanooga, TN.  Mr. Blankenship also was a veteran of the United States Air Force.  His career was in the trucking industry and he enjoyed traveling the United States in his 18 wheeler.  He enjoyed playing bingo, reading mysteries and fishing when able.  He was a member of the American Legion and the St. James Episcopal Church in Lake City.  He was preceded in death by one brother, James Blankenship.

Survivors include his wife, Laura B. Blankenship, Lake City; two step-sons, John Thomas Bacon (Holly), Cumming, GA and Richard Curtis Bacon (Tammy), Jacksonville; one step-daughter, Kathleen B. Friton (Dean), Lawrenceville, GA; two brothers, Robert Blankenship (Ruth) and Larry Keith Blankenship both of Peach Creek, WV; one sister, Betty Jane Bayless (Bill), Peach Creek, WV; six grandchildren, Amon Whitfield, Lawrenceville, GA, Autumn Bacon, Jacksonville, Carol Anne Bacon, Cumming, GA and Caleb, Kelsai and Tyler Hoover all of Jacksonville: and 2 great grandchildren also survive.

Memorial services will be conducted on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 12:30 PM at the Jacksonville National Cemetery in Jacksonville with military honors.  Inurnment will follow.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following, National Foundation for Cancer Research at PO Box 96024, Washington, DC 20090, or the Arthritis Foundation at PO Box 96280, Washington, DC 20090 or to the St. James Episcopal Church, Bascom Norris Blvd., Lake City, FL 32025.