Issac Russell "Ike" Blankenship, of Jefferson City, was born on October 18, 1953, at Hannibal, a son of Clarence Omer and Fanny Adelaide (Branson) Blankenship, and departed this life at 4:17 p.m., on Monday, March 23, 2015, at his residence in Jefferson City. Ike had attained the age of 61 years, 5 months, and 5 days.

Ike was united in marriage on March 19, 2004, at Jefferson City, to Betty Mae Carver. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence, on May 17, 1992; his mother, Fanny, on November 6, 2011; two sisters, infant Lillian Annette Blankenship on September 6, 1945; and Sharon "Bobby" Ward on July 18, 2009; three brothers-in-law, Ray Ward, Bill Gerbes, and Jim Cooper.

Ike was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Holts Summit. He had accepted Jesus Christ as his Personal Saviour and had followed his Lord in Baptism. Ike was a United States Navy and Missouri National Guard veteran.

Those left to mourn the passing of Ike include: His wife, Betty Blankenship of the home in Jefferson City; two sons, Brian Russell Blankenship, Ocala, Florida, and Matthew James Blankenship, Jefferson City; one step-son, William Jackson, Holts Summit; two step-daughters, Jennifer Lee and husband, Aron, Wellsville; and Tammy Jackson, Jefferson City; three brothers, David Blankenship and wife, Donna, Owensville; Clarence Blankenship Jr., and wife Patty, Hermann; and Mike Blankenship and wife, Carol, Macon, Georgia; four sisters, Dinah Cooper, Osage City; Joyce Eikerman and husband, Dalton, Hermann; Alice Shockley and husband D.J., Cuba; and Aloha Gerbes, Jefferson City; ten step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Ike at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 26, 2015, in the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes, with Pastor Craig Burcham, Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Holts Summit, officiating.

Interment with full military honors was in the Vienna Public Cemetery under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Pallbearers for Ike were David Blankenship, Jr. Blankenship, Mike Blankenship, Terrance Jackson, Aron Lee, and Paul Losi, Jr.

Memorials are suggested per the wishes of the family with envelopes available at the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home.