June 19, 2009
Deacon Joseph Blankenberger dies June 14
Funeral services were scheduled Thursday, June 18 for Deacon Joseph V. Blankenberger of St. Wendel. He died June 14 at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, at age 87. Father Ed Schnur was to preside at the Mass of Christian Burial, along with priests and deacons of the Diocese of Evansville. Burial was to be in St. Wendel Church cemetery.
Deacon Blankenberger was among the first permanent deacons ordained for the Diocese of Evansville, on May 15, 1977, by Bishop Francis R. Shea. He was assigned to his home parish of St. Wendel Church from 1977 until his retirement in 2002.
Deacon Blankenberger is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty (Hartman) Blankenberger and their five daughters and eight sons. Also surviving is a brother, Sylvan A. Blankenbe-ger of Kokomo, Ind., thirty-three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Deacon Blankenberger farmed for 45 years before his retirement. He was a member of the Knights of St. John in St. Wendel and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of VFW Post 6576 in Wadesville.