John Blankenbeckler

On the somber morning of September 11, 2010, John Riley Blankenbeckler died after a short illness.  He was 88 years old.  Military rites will be on Thursday, September 16th at 2:00 p.m. at Daniel Funeral Chapel.  Pastor Jack Slade will officiate.  Graveside service will be at Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will take place from 1:00pm – 2:00pm on Thursday at Daniel’s.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home.        John Blankenbeckler was born on June 21, 1922 in Tennessee to John F. and Artie Blankenbeckler.  He grew up in Leesburg, Florida the second of five children.  He enlisted in the United States Navy and served in Alaska from 1940 to 1946.  It was in Alaska that John accepted his Lord and Savior and was baptized into the Catholic Church.  As Petty Officer 2nd class upon honorable dischsrge, John began driving chemical trucks in Florida.  In 1981 John retired after 35 years of driving from Rainbow Chemical Trucking Company in Southern California.  In 1950 John met and married Pauline (Brown).  They raised three children and John played an active role as Boy Scout leader.  He was also a service member of the Moose Lodge in California.  John and Polly retired back to Lamar in 1985 and he remained active volunteering for the Barton County Good Samaritan Shop from 1987 to 2004.  In 1997 John was recognized as Lamar Volunteer of the Year for his service as commodities driver.  He was also active in the Senior Citizen Center where he leaves behind many cherished friends.  John is preceded in death by wife Pauline and son, Jon Kelly Blankenbeckler.        In 2001 John married Gloria Hoenshell of Lamar.  John is survived by wife Gloria (of the home) and Chuahuia, Pee Wee, his son, Jeffrey Paul Blankenbeckler and daughter-in-law Bobbi, Texas, his daughter, Jenna Hanley and her sons Kyle Christian, Kevin Ian and Kieran Sean, all of Lamar, a brother and two sisters on the east coast, many nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces.  He was blessed to have spent the last 10 years of his life with the love and support of his wife Gloria and was most proud of his three grandsons.