Ronald W. Blankenship
Ronald Wayne Blankenship of Marshfield, born on January 10, 1930 to Esley Carl “EC” and Montie (Keeler) Blankenship in Marshfield MO. He departed this life on June 8, 2025, surrounded by family. As Ronald passed into Heaven he shed a tear from each eye, not sad tears but happy tears to no longer be in any pain and to be reunited with his bride.
Ronald is preceded in death by his wife Sharlene “Pod” (Terry) Blankenship, an infant daughter Donna Ray, daughter Brenda (Blankenship) Letzig, his parents E.C. and Montie (Keeler) Blankenship, His brothers Lowell and Noel Blankenship and his sister Laudean (Blankenship) Cantrell.
Ronald’s life of over 95 years spanned almost 10 decades and two centuries. As a child growing up in rural Webster County, along with his siblings, did the chores that go along with farm life; animals to tend and crops to harvest. But with the hard work came time for fun, a dip in the creek or riding to Seymour with dad and granddad in a horse drawn wagon. The Blankenship children attended several rural schools including High Prairie and Teague walking to and from in all kinds of weather. Ronald attended Marshfield High School where he graduated in 1947.
Ronald and Sharlene “Pod” Terry were joined in marriage on November 22, 1948. Their marriage was the rock solid foundation that their family was built on. They walked hand in hand through every challenge, victory, heartbreak and joy for 74 years. In 1958 Ronald’s parents started a 400 acre beef and dairy farm on High Prairie, eventually he and Pod took over the farm, raising a family, building a legacy and setting the standard for hard workers. At one time Ronald drove a 100 mile milk route. He would milk his herd then he would drive his route picking up milk from his fellow dairy farmers. He was said to be able to carry 2 metal milk cans (full of milk) in each hand and lift them over the pickup bed. He would deliver the milk to the dairy in Springfield and would unload the milk cans the same way, 2 in each hand. Then return home to do chores as need before milking again.
Every day, twice a day you would find Ronald in the milk barn. Between milk time he took care of the “little farm jobs” planting, tending, and harvesting a garden, haying, mending fence, repairing equipment, picking up walnuts, cutting firewood and taking care of the herd animals. And every chance he got he would churn some homemade ice cream. He love music Johnny Cash’s rockabilly and Ricky Skaggs bluegrass could be heard from the cassette deck in every vehicle. Ronald worked hard but he enjoyed life. From a plain wooden bench wearing a pair of overalls and rubber boots, cigar in hand you would find this humble man watching over his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoying them as much as they enjoyed being with him. He taught us all what hard work is and that life is what you put into it every day, and set the standard of what a good man should be every day.
Ronald is survived by his daughters Ronna Wheeler of Marshfield, Regina Blankenship of Springfield, his sons Ronnie and Gail Blankenship of Marshfield, Terry Blankenship and Teri Myers of Marshfield, James Bruce and Denise Holdman of Marshfield, Steve and Erin Bruce of Independence, 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 15 great great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends who will miss him. He is our role model and we will strive to honor his memory each day until we see him again, we’ll shut the gate grandpa.
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., in the chapel of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., Marshfield. Interment will follow in Marshfield Cemetery under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in care of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 85, Marshfield, MO 65706.