James was born January 31, 1933, in Springfield to the late Lonnie D. & Myrtle Marie (Nichols) Blankenship. In addition to his parents, James was also preceded in death by his 1st wife, Barbara E. (Brock) Blankenship; and brother, Dale Blankenship.
James is survived by wife, Esther L. Blankenship; sons & daughter-in-law, Robert Blankenship of Florida and Ronald & Kea Blankenship of Union; daughter, Kathy Toops of Portsmouth; step-sons & step-daughters-in-law, Dan & Linda Reeser of Greenville and Melvin & Debbie Reeser of Greenville; grandchildren, Angie Toops, Ben & April Blankenship, Scott Blankenship & Jamie Helton, Naomi Bohm, Jessica Johnson, Josh Blankenship, Jared Blankenship, Jason & Ruth Reeser, Mike & Tracy Hardy, Brian & Lacie Reeser, Nathan Reeser, Sarah & Trent Hiestand and Phil & Michelle Reeser; 17 great-grandchildren; brother & sister-in-law, Michael & Peggy Blankenship of Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
James retired from McCall’s-Dayton Press in Dayton. He attended Faith Baptist Church in Greenville.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville with Pastor Bill Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Abbottsville Cemetery in Darke County. The family will receive friends from 11:00 to 1:00 PM on Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
