Betty Lou (Reese) Blankenship, age 86 of Elwood, passed away September 2, 2013 at Summit Convalescent Center following an extended illness. She was born August 19, 1927 in Elwood, the daughter of John E. and Clara E. (Davis) Reese. She resided in Elwood all of her life, and graduated from Elwood High School in 1946. She worked at Monticello Corporation in Elwood for several years, and later retired from Wabash Magnetics Corporation. She married James Lester Blankenship on June 28, 1947. Betty was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Elwood where she was a member of Susan Circle. She was also a member of the Elwood Fifty-Plus Club. She enjoyed needlework, camping, traveling, and most of all - spending time with her family.

Betty's family includes 2 children, Judy Hayden of Anderson and Ed (wife Anita) Blankenship of Alexandria; 6 grandchildren, Laura (husband Travis) Hayden-Lawler, Brian (wife Lisa) Hayden, Sarah (husband Matt) Hayden-Blakeley, Kimberly (husband Curtis) Blankenship-Head, Benjamin Blankenship, and Adam Blankenship; several great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Charles E. Durbin; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John E. and Clara M. (Davis) Reese; her loving husband of nearly 53 years, James Lester Blankenship; brother, John R. Reese; sisters-in-law, Donna M. Fry and Louise Durbin; and nephew, Phillip McCarty.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Chris Dare of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will take place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM prior to the funeral service on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Grace United Methodist Church in Elwood through the funeral home. Online condolences: www.copherfeslermay.com.