Thomas Blankenship BEDFORD Thomas Blankenship, age 78, of Bedford, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at I.U. Health, Bedford, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Blankenship served as Senior Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy for 22 years. He was a life-time member of the NRA and a member of the Outdoor Sportsman Club of Mitchell. In addition, he was a UAW member and a member of the American Legion. Thomas enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and hunting. Born on March 25, 1943, at his home in Bloomington, he was the son of Evan Thomas and Elnora Mickel Blankenship, both of whom preceded him in death. On September 22, 1962, in Canada, he mar- ried Dorothy L. Willson, and she survives in Bedford. Survivors also include one son, Lee A. Blankenship of Bedford; two daughters: Tammy (Scott) Trowbridge of Bedford, and Tanya S. (Darin) Anderson of Mitchell; two sisters: Delores B. Edmondson of Alabama, and Barbara Long of Arizona; six grandchildren: Stormi Wilkerson, and Dalton Wilkerson; and seven great-grandchildren: David, Brice, Sierra, Domnici, Rebekah, Joshua, and Hayden. Besides his parents, Thomas was also pre- ceded in death by one son, Jason Blankenship; one sister, Reva Beavers; one brother, Denny Blankenship; and one brother-in-law, Tommy Beavers. Funeral services for Thomas Blankenship will be conducted at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown, with Pastor Mitchell McIntyre officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at noon on Thursday, December 9, at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc. Military honors will be presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled American Veterans 47 and Vietnam Vets 7.