Milo Martin Blankenship passed away May 7, 2016 in the early morning hours with family by his side at Providence St. Vincent’s Hospital in Beaverton, Oregon. Milo was born December 28, 1926 and was 89 at the time of his passing.

Milo was born in Protem, Missouri to H.F. & Vera (Owen) Blankenship. He was raised and attended school in the Protem area until he joined the United States Army in February of 1945. Milo was aboard a troop ship deployed to Saipan on the way to the war when the ship was notified that the war was over so he spent the rest of his service days in Honolulu helping to rebuild what had been destroyed.

After the war, Milo followed his older brother’s footsteps and came to Oregon where he knew he could find work in the orchards. He came to Hood River and worked for Walter Wells & Sons. He worked for Hood River Sand & Gravel and then went into construction building custom homes and later working on his own until he retired. While living in Hood River, Milo met and later married Melba Jean Smith in May of 1948. In 1950, their first daughter, Linda Jean was born followed by Dianna Lynn in 1955.

Milo was blessed with two grandchildren and during their youth he attended their many recitals, baseball, football, basketball & soccer games. He spent many hours volunteering his time mowing the baseball field or building dugouts. If it involved the grandchildren, he supported them. The most important things to Milo were family, work and hunting. Those were the things that made him happy. Milo and Melba Jean also square danced with the WyEast Whirlers and bowled together on league for many years.

Milo was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Melba Jean in 2010, his parents, brothers, George, John, Paul, Jim, Sim and Rome. He is survived by his sister, Dora Hyde Blunt of Marshfield, Missouri; daughter, Linda Stassen (and husband, Jim) of Mesa, Arizona and Dianna Blankenship (and husband, William Rose) of Gearhart, Oregon; granddaughter, Trishia Sissons (and husband, Jim) of Spokane, Washington; grandson, Jarad Swyers (and wife, Karen) of Peoria, Arizona; four great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials are encouraged to be made in Milo’s name to the Hood River Valley Adult Center, 2010 Sterling Drive, Hood River, Oregon 97031.

Services are planned for Milo at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.

Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.