Celebrating the life of
Dale Minton Blankenship, MD
July 19, 1923 - April 16, 2011
Dale Minton Blankenship, M.D., 87, died Saturday, April 16, 2011 in Savannah, GA.
Dr. Blankenship was born in Dexter, MO on July 19, 1923, the son of the late Dale and Myrtle Minton Blankenship. He attended Westminster College and received his M.D. from the University of Colorado. He was a World War II veteran serving in Iwo Jima with the United States Marine Corps. Dr. Blankenship practiced family medicine, primarily in Cape Girardeau, MO until his retirement in 1988 at which time he and his wife Frances moved to Savannah, GA.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Wallace Blankenship. He is survived by his daughters, Beth Younce and husband Kep and Sally Blankenship and husband Jack Smoot; grandchildren, Sarah and Anna Younce, Taylor and Austin Crowe and Tashia Abry and husband Dennis.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Skidaway Island United Methodist Church.
Dr. Blankenship was a member of Skidaway Island United Methodist Church and asked that in lieu of flowers any bequests be made to the church.
On the first date that I had with my husband, Paul Rother, we doubled with Dale and his date. Paul and Dale were room mates in Medical School at Missoui U. . We have been friends ever since. Dale was at out wedding and he helped celebrate ou 50th anniversery. He has always held a special place in our hearts and he always will. He was very loved and will be missed. Dale was a true 'Gentle Man'. Jacquelyn Rother
- Jacquelyn Rother, Saint Charles, MO
Dale was a very good friend, and was a classmate of my husband's Robert M. Heyssel in medical school at M.U. We had occasion to pick up this friendship again as I drove to and from Florida. Dale and I had dinner when I stopped in Savannah, where we talked and talked, running the gamut of topics. It was always a special pleasure and I will miss Dale. He was very much a gentleman in every sense of the word.
- Maria Heyssel, Seaford, DE
Dear Sally and Beth... Your dad & mine, Bill Diffenderfer, played golf together usually twice a week for the past 15 years. We met Dale several times--what a wonderful guy! He was a true friend to my dad. My dad passed away suddenly last summer. I miss him very much, as I know you will your dad. Bill & Dale were the best of pals, I believe, because they were kindred spirits; from that wonderful generation that meant what they said, were respectful & polite, that loved good, clean competition, loved their country & their families, took nothing for granted. Thank you for sharing your dad with mine for these past few years. I hate to lose them both, but I'm thankful that neither suffered long & that they did not spend long here without each other's good-natured comaraderie. They're betting quarters and laughing again. God be with you. Respectfully, Monica Diffenderfer Mastrianni
- Monica Mastrianni, Savannah, GA
Dale's passing reminds me of the pleasure I had, working as a freshly minted urologist, with him in the '80's. He was a wonderful Dr. and colleague. I could always rely on him for help with patients and to mop the tennis court with me when I made the mistake of playing against him.
- J. Russell Felker, MD, Cape Girardeau, MO
We share with you in your loss. We had known Dale about 18 years, and thought a lot of him. I Bob served on the Citizen Review Panel with Dale for about 18 years. Dale will be missed by many friends
- Bob & Fran Williams, Savannah, GA
How lucky that you had the love and support of your father all these years! Our hearts are heavy for your loss....please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Susan Dunlap, Concord, NC
Dear Sally, Beth and Family; We are so sorry for your loss. Uncle Dale was such a sweet gentle man, and he will be greatly missed. I always thought that your parents were the Ward and June Cleaver of our time. They were so much in love, and made for each other. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Paula and Floyd Hayden, and Sara B. Gillen
- Paula Oliver Hayden, Fort Worth, TX
Dear Sally, Beth and Family, Your dear Father was our family physician from 1961 until he retired. That was a sad day for us. I remember your Mother working in the office also. They were the kindest and most loving people on earth. Your Father never complained when I would call him at home on behalf of a sick child. Thank you for sharing him with us. He was the best!
- Judi Messmer Wickmann, Bradenton, FL
Sally, Just want to tell you how sorry I am that you had to give up your Dad. I know you will miss him. I miss seeing you around. Take care and God bless you. Bernetta Davis
- Bernetta Davis, Jackson, MO
On the first date that I had with my husband, Paul Rother, we doubled with Dale and his date. Paul and Dale were room mates in Medical School at Missoui U. . We have been friends ever since. Dale was at out wedding and he helped celebrate ou 50th anniversery. He has always held a special place in our hearts and he always will. He was very loved and will be missed. Dale was a true 'Gentle Man'. Jacquelyn Rother
- Jacquelyn Rother, Saint Charles, MO
Dale was a very good friend, and was a classmate of my husband's Robert M. Heyssel in medical school at M.U. We had occasion to pick up this friendship again as I drove to and from Florida. Dale and I had dinner when I stopped in Savannah, where we talked and talked, running the gamut of topics. It was always a special pleasure and I will miss Dale. He was very much a gentleman in every sense of the word.
- Maria Heyssel, Seaford, DE
Dear Sally and Beth... Your dad & mine, Bill Diffenderfer, played golf together usually twice a week for the past 15 years. We met Dale several times--what a wonderful guy! He was a true friend to my dad. My dad passed away suddenly last summer. I miss him very much, as I know you will your dad. Bill & Dale were the best of pals, I believe, because they were kindred spirits; from that wonderful generation that meant what they said, were respectful & polite, that loved good, clean competition, loved their country & their families, took nothing for granted. Thank you for sharing your dad with mine for these past few years. I hate to lose them both, but I'm thankful that neither suffered long & that they did not spend long here without each other's good-natured comaraderie. They're betting quarters and laughing again. God be with you. Respectfully, Monica Diffenderfer Mastrianni
- Monica Mastrianni, Savannah, GA
Dale's passing reminds me of the pleasure I had, working as a freshly minted urologist, with him in the '80's. He was a wonderful Dr. and colleague. I could always rely on him for help with patients and to mop the tennis court with me when I made the mistake of playing against him.
- J. Russell Felker, MD, Cape Girardeau, MO
We share with you in your loss. We had known Dale about 18 years, and thought a lot of him. I Bob served on the Citizen Review Panel with Dale for about 18 years. Dale will be missed by many friends
- Bob & Fran Williams, Savannah, GA
How lucky that you had the love and support of your father all these years! Our hearts are heavy for your loss....please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Susan Dunlap, Concord, NC
Dear Sally, Beth and Family; We are so sorry for your loss. Uncle Dale was such a sweet gentle man, and he will be greatly missed. I always thought that your parents were the Ward and June Cleaver of our time. They were so much in love, and made for each other. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Paula and Floyd Hayden, and Sara B. Gillen
- Paula Oliver Hayden, Fort Worth, TX
Dear Sally, Beth and Family, Your dear Father was our family physician from 1961 until he retired. That was a sad day for us. I remember your Mother working in the office also. They were the kindest and most loving people on earth. Your Father never complained when I would call him at home on behalf of a sick child. Thank you for sharing him with us. He was the best!
- Judi Messmer Wickmann, Bradenton, FL
Sally, Just want to tell you how sorry I am that you had to give up your Dad. I know you will miss him. I miss seeing you around. Take care and God bless you. Bernetta Davis
- Bernetta Davis, Jackson, MO
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
