Franklin D. Blankenship, 81, of Huron, died Tuesday morning, Aug. 16, 2016, in Firelands Regional Medical Center.

He was born Aug. 17, 1934, in Mingo County, WV, and was a 28 year employee of the former Hinde and Dauch Paper Co.. He was a member of the Sandusky East Congregation of Jehovah's  Witnesses, and was an avid fisherman.

Frank is survived by his wife, the former Nellie Hinkle, to whom he was married for 63 years; 2 daughters Diana Powell of Jacksonville, NC, and Naomi Blankenship of Mineral, VA; 4 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; sister Dorothy Justice; brothers  Pat, Keith, and Michael Blankenship, and Jerome, Arvel, Ronnie, and Denvil Curry; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Crockett and Naomi Pennington Blankenship; brothers George, Stewart, Columbus, Calvin, Rush, and Bruce Blankenship, Jim Curry, Raymond and Bill Hutchinson; sisters Vesta Clark, Maggie Compton, Eva Deerfield, and Nancy Deckard.

Friends may call from 4-7 pm Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in the Ransom Funeral and Cremation Service, 610 S. Washington St., Castalia. Cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Suite 440, 4500 Rockside Road, Independence, OH 44131.