Colton Blankenship

SIKESTON -- Colton Erwin Blankenship Jr., 74, died June 9, 2005, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Born Aug. 29, 1930, in Canalou, son of the late Colton Erwin and Cora Edna Helms Blankenship Sr., he was raised in the Church of Christ belief. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served in the Korean War, he was a self-employed farmer before retiring.

On July 29, 1956, he married Betty Jean Sims who survives of the home in Sikeston.

Other survivors include: three sons, Charles Underwood of Searcy, Ark., Rickey Blankenship of Matthews and Terry Blankenship of Parma; three daughters, Billie Faye Strope of Paragould, Ark., Sissie Wilkerson of Highlands, Texas, and Wendy Blankenship of Sikeston; and numerous grandchildren.

Three brothers, B.R. Blankenship, Barney Blankenship and O.D. Blankenship; and three sisters, Kathryn Summers, Delbarta Snider and Hazel Lee Troxell, preceded him in death.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Graveside services will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at Garden of Memories in Sikeston. The Rev. Joe Williams, pastor of Parma General Baptist Church, will officiate.

Pallbearers will be: Charles Underwood, Rickey Blankenship, Terry Blankenship, Brandon Blankenship, Eric Blankenship and Brad Blankenship.

Honorary pallbearers will be: David Wyatt, Stan Blankenship, Steve Blankenship, Lois Newman, Donald Hammock, Michael Wilkerson and Danny Hall.