Elmer Gene Blankenship of Bloomfield, son of the late Elmer Edward and Helen Geraldine Probst, was born in Advance, Missouri, on February 17, 1946, and passed away at the Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau on August 27, 2018, at the age of 72 years, 6 months and 10 days.

Elmer had lived in the Marble Hill area before moving to Bloomfield in 1996, he worked as a well driller.

On May 26, 1978, he married Martha Fay Bennett in Zalma, Missouri.

Surviving are his wife, Martha Blankenship of Bloomfield; one daughter and spouse, Marsha (Tommy) Richardson of Bloomfield; five sons and spouses, David (Lisa) Blankenship of Bloomfield, Michael Blankenship of Bloomfield, Barry (Natasha) Blankenship of Malden, Frankie (Donna) Tackett of Bloomfield; Larry Tackett of Bloomfield; seventeen grandchildren, four great grandchildren; two sisters, Linda Johnson of Benton, Rose Slinkard of Marble Hill; two brothers, Kenny and Orville Blankenship both of Benton, Missouri. Other relatives and many friends also survive. He was preceded in death by one son Tony Blankenship, and one sister Ruby Blankenship.

Friends may visit from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter with the Bro.Ronnie Winchester of Brownwood officiating.

Interment will be at the Triplett Cemetery near Dexter with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements.