Union Banner, Carlyle, IL, Dec 29, 1999, Page 2a/Col 2 Richard Blankenship, 78 Graveside services for Richard W. Blankenship of Greenville were held today (Wednesday) at 1: 30 p. m. at Liberty cemetery in Mulberrry Grove with Rev. Joe Lawson officiating. Mr. Blankenship, a former Vandalia resident, died at his home on Monday, Dec. 27th, 1999. He was 78 years old. Born in Mulberry Grove on March 24th, 1921, he was a son of James and Addie Elam Blankenship. On April 12th, 1995, in Greenville, he married Flora Mae Links, and she survives in Carlyle. Additional survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Pat Hames of St. Elmo, Becky Dale of O'Fallon and Susie Davison of Vandalia; three sons, Bill and John Robert Blankenship of Memphis, Tenn. and Jim Blankenship of Mulberry Grove; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and three sisters, Erma Garrison of St. Elmo and Elsie Leswell and Arlene Hott, both of Collinsville. Mr. Blankenship was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Blankenship and one sister, Goldie Hatfield. A retired truck driver for ConRail Railroad, Mr. Blankenship was a member of the VFW and American Legion, both of Vandalia. He had served in the U.S. Army in World War II. The Hohlt and File Funeral Home in Vandalia was in charge of arrangements. This information, is for research purposes only, and is not to be posted or diffused on any website or by email without the specific permission of the newspaper, except for research purposes.