Gene Blanton

A funeral service celebrating the life of Gene Blanton, age 83, of Belpre, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, at the Thornville United Methodist Church with Pastor Jeremy Shank officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church.Gene was born February 14, 1931 in Pennsylvania to the late Bascom and Frances (Long) Blanton. He passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Camden Clark Medical Center, Parkersburg, WV.Gene retired as a machinist and foreman at the Newark Air Force Base. He loved to fish and was a member of the Calvary Community Church in Belpre where he sang in the choir. He was also a former member of the Thornville United Methodist Church where he was choir director. He served in the Army National Guard for 30 years.Gene is survived by his wife, Jean Blanton; two daughters, Carol Whitmer (Scott) of Avon Park, FL and Brenda Eveland (Don) of Lancaster; one son, Randy Gray of Columbus; two step-daughters, Pam Smith (George) of Newark and Sandi Archer (Bob) of Middlebourne, WV; a step-son, Andy Reed (Linda) of Mineral Wells, WV; a sister, Shirley Howdyshell (Dave) of New Lexington; a brother, Lynn Blanton (Pam) of Nelsonville; three grandchildren, Brian (Erin), Anna (Chris) and Brad (Melinda); eight step-grandchildren, Leslie (Randy), Jaimie (Brian), Matthew, Casey (Jeff), Robbie, Kelly, Chris and Ryan; five great-grandchildren; eighteen step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Blanton; second wife, Edith Blanton; and two daughters, Teresa Edwards and Diana Blanton.Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service, Thornville, is honored to care for the Blanton family.