Orville Ray Blankenship

Orville Ray Blankenship age 92, of Bolivar, MO passed away Sunday, February 28, 2016 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Orville was born on October 25, 1923 in Buffalo, MO, the son of Virgil Ray Blankenship and Earlie M. Houser- Blankenship. After high school Ray enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Mt. Olympus. He later served at Guadalcanal. He came home in 1945 and married the love of his life, Doris in 1952, she passed away in 2004. They were married for 52 years, to this union four children were born. Ray was an avid fisherman and he enjoyed painting, trips to Branson, spending time with his grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He is preceded in death by; his parents, his wife, two brothers; Bill Blankenship, Lowell Blankenship and one sister Betty Jo. Surviving Ray are his children; Barbara Cochran and husband Greg of Lebanon, MO; their children; Jason Cochran and Jeremy Cochran of Lebanon, MO; his daughter Carolyn Short and husband Gary of Bolivar, MO; their children; Ashley Hensley of Bolivar, MO and Lindsay Choate of Bolivar, MO; his daughter Patty Balaguera and husband Michael of Boca Raton, FL; their children; Sarah Fredrickson of Sedalia, MO; Monica Mallory of Kansas City, MO; Samuel Swihart of Colorado Springs, CO; his son Dennis Blankenship and wife Karen of Sacramento, CA; their children; Daniel Blankenship of Bossier City, LA; David Blankenship of Canada, Joy Harwood of Idaho; 24 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2015 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, MO. A funeral service for Ray will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2015 at 10 am at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, MO. Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar, with Pastor Dennis Blankenship officiating. Pallbearers will be Jason Cochran, Jeremy Cochran, Daniel Blankenship, Samuel Swihart, Eric Fredrickson and Marshall Mallory. Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles Johnson, Justin Barnhouse, David Blankenship, Lonnie Hensley, and Josh Choate. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon Missouri. 1600 S Hickory St, Mt Vernon, MO 65712 Services for Ray are under the care and direction of Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar Missouri. Friends and Family may sign the guestbook or send condolences online at www.butlerfuneralhome.com

Orville Ray Blankenship

October 25, 1923 - February 28, 2016