Obituary of Gary L. Blankenship
Gary L. Blankenship
Age 75, passed away peacefully in the home he proudly built in Channahon, IL surrounded by the love of his life, his wife Louise (Lou); his five beautiful children and their spouses, Brad (Beth), Andy (Jimmy), Stacy (Paul), Ronnie (Mandy) and Nikki (Carl). He was blessed with 12 adoring grandchildren of whom his entire world revolved around, Mason, Luke, Abby, Rowan, AJ, Sloane, John, Paige, Ainsley, Lane, Phoenix and Reed.
Gary was born August 13, 1946 to Kelly R. and Avis A. (McGary) Blankenship.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Ronnie and many dear family and friends. Survived by many relatives and friends.
A graduate of Joliet Township High School, Class of 1964. A proud Veteran, Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam from 1966-1967. He was initiated into Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 422 in 1971 as an apprentice and became a Journeyman Pipefitter in 1976. He was elected Business Manager in 1981, honorably serving his membership until his retirement on December 1, 2008. He served as Chairman of Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 422 Pension & Welfare Funds, and was a Trustee on the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee of Local 422. He was appointed to the Illinois Pollution Control Board and served from 2008-2011. He was a life member of Stone City VFW Post 2199 and Ingalls Park AC.
He will be terribly missed and will forever leave a gaping hole in our hearts but we smile knowing he lived a great life and had many amazing accomplishments. He enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Menards and Home Depot (only when Menards was out of stock), golfing any chance he could, taking care of his yard which he took very seriously (Martha Stewart level serious), NASCAR, the White Sox, the Chicago Bears (when they were having a good season...so not often), dollar beers with his buddies at the VFW and literally anything that involved his grandbabies. He was a devoted family man and a kind friend who would do anything for anyone. He left an impression on everyone he met.
Funeral services for Gary L. Blankenship will be Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet. Interment to follow at Elmhurst Cemetery with full military honors to be conducted by the United States Army. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated. Visitation Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
