James D. “Denny” Blankenship, 62, of Long Creek, passed away 5:50 a.m., Thursday September 6, 2012, in St. Mary’s Hospital Decatur, IL.

A service to celebrate Denny’s life was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 10, 2012, at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion. Denny will be laid to rest in Point Pleasant Cemetery, Long Creek.

Denny was born February 15, 1950, in Decatur, IL the son of James and Lula (Richardson) Blankenship.

Surviving is his wife: Brenda of Long Creek; mother: Lula Blankenship of Jacksonville; sons: Jamie Blankenship and his wife Amanda of Dalton City, and Brian Blankenship of Decatur; daughter: Tanya (Blankenship) LeVeck and her husband Kevin of Decatur; brothers: Larry Blankenship and his wife Marsha, Lynn Blankenship and his wife Carol and Mike Blankenship and his wife Raylene; sisters: Sandy Harmon and her husband Earl and Lori Tucker and her husband Bob; grandchildren: Brian Jr., Cody, Nathan, Rachel, and Phoebe.

He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers: Wayne and Roger.