Rupert Leo Blankenship

Rupert Leo Blankenship , 77, of Maple Fork, WV went to be with our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at home in Maple Fork, WV. Born April 07, 1934 at Buffalo Creek, WV he was the son of the late John Hamilton and Blanche Phyllis Lewis Blankenship. He was a 1953 graduate of Oceana High School and was a US Marine Corps veteran of the Korean Conflict. Mr. Blankenship retired from Shady Spring High School where he was a Chemistry teacher. He loved spending time outdoors. The eldest of four children, Rupert was preceded in death by two brothers, William Donald "Donnie" Blankenship, and Paul Ray Blankenship. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his children, Janet Lynn Blankenship Wicklehous of Hinton, Rupert L. Blankenship, II and wife, Tonya of Mount Hope and Rebecca E. Blankenship Stephens of South Carolina. Also surviving are his former wife, Janice E. Blankenship, three grandchildren, whom he dearly loved and a brother, Michael Blankenship of Prosperity. Funeral services will be on Friday, September 2, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope with Rev. Sam Vance officiating. Burial will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity. Friends may call from 11:30 AM until service on Friday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Tyree Funeral Home, Mount Hope, WV