Ernest B. 'Ernie' Blankenship

Ernest B. “Ernie” Blankenship, 77, of Hillsboro died Tuesday morning, October 8, 2013 at his home.

He was born September 7, 1936 in Fleming, Letcher County, Kentucky the son of the late Stanley Ernest and Lula Alley Blankenship.

Mr. Blankenship had retired from the NCB Savings Bank in Hillsboro as the Senior Vice-President with over 25 years of service. He had also worked as the personnel manager for Rotary Forms Press, Inc. for 37 years.

He was a member of the NCB Savings Bank Board of Directors in Hillsboro and Washington D.C., had served on the Highland District Hospital Foundation Board and was an appointed member of the West Point student selection committee for our district. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a life member of the VFW Post 9094, a life member of the AmVets Post 61, a life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1161, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 361, a member of the Hillsboro Rotary Club, a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.

Ernie had served our community in many capacities and had received awards and honors that include, over 50 years of broadcasting on WSRW/WCHO radio, inducted into the Ohio Southeast District Coaches Hall of Fame, recognized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for lifetime achievement, namesake and founder of the Highland County Society for Children and Adults Telethon, was responsible for awarding more than $100,000 in college scholarships for area student-athletes through his service at NCB Bank, was recognized by U.S. Congressman Mike Turner for Community Service, was recognized by many area high schools for more than 50 years of sports broadcasting, played football for Hillsboro High School from 1951-55 and was All-South Central Ohio League and All-Ohio, was inducted into the Highland County Sports Hall of Fame, in August 1998 Mayor Sandy Harsha proclaimed Ernie Blankenship Day in recognition of his community service, received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Ohio Educational Service Center Association in 2004, was awarded the honor of Kentucky Colonel in 1999, received a certificate of appreciation for many years of support from the Highland County Sheriff’s Department, Ron Ward, on January 17, 2013, received the OHSBCA Hall of Honor Award District 14 on April 20, 2013, was presented the Keys To The Village of Fayetteville for his community support to their Village, received the Ohio High School Athletic Association “Resolution of Ernie” by Daniel Ross, Commissioner, received the Ohio High School Athletic Association Media Award of Merit, March 24, 2012, and was honored in 1980 at the Highland County Senior Citizens with a “Roast for Ernie.”

Ernie was a 1955 graduate of Hillsboro High School, received his bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati and his master's degree from Xavier University. Ernie had also played on the Cincinnati Reds farm team after returning from overseas duty in the Army. On August 29, 1998, the “Victory Bell” at Richards Memorial Field was dedicated to Ernie in honor of his endless support to Hillsboro High School Football.

He is survived by his wife, Rita K. Owen Blankenship, whom he married on March 3, 1962; three sons, Todd Blankenship of Hillsboro, Ryan “Smoke” (Erin) Blankenship of Hillsboro, and Ernie Blankenship of New Vienna; eight grandchildren, Amber, Chad, Beau, Presley, Hannah, Marc, Zach and Abby Blankenship; one sister, Judy (Bill) Henning of West Chester; one brother, Richard Blankenship of Hillsboro; two sisters-in-law, Peggy Blankenship of Xenia and Linda Wright of Indianapolis, Ind.; one brother-in-law, Larry (Kathy) Owen of Florida; a special aunt, Helen Semones of Hillsboro; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Kay Blankenship; and two brothers, Curtis Neil Blankenship and Ray Blankenship.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 by Father Mike Paraniuk at St. Mary Catholic Church in Hillsboro. Burial with military honors presented by the Highland County Honor Guard will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Friends may call on Friday, Oct. 11 from 4-8 p.m. at the Hillsboro High School Gymnasium.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Highland County Society for Children and Adults, P.O. Box 258, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.

The Turner & Son Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information and to send condolences to the family, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.