Wilma Jean Blankenbaker

Just under 18 years ago I buried my mom, one of the two strongest women in my family. Today I will bury the other, my grandmother.

Ms. Wilma Jean Blankenbaker of Salem died the early morning of September 24, 2018 at the age of 84 in Louisville, Ky. Distinguished for her energetic lifestyle, sharp mind, and unwavering love of her children, she will be missed by her friends and family.

Ms. Blankenbaker was born July 31, 1934 in Washington County, Indiana. The daughter of Ruby and Frances Malloy, she lived through fourteen presidents, two dozen wars, a moon landing, a great depression, the birth and death of her children, and numerous adventures with her sisters, brothers, and friends. She remembered every minute of it. She was a member of Canton Christian Church.

With class and humility she leaves behind a grandson, Justin Harter of Indianapolis. Her sisters, Marilyn Bowling, Mary Hellen Glispy and Judy Lyles, and her brother, Richard Malloy, all of Salem, also survive. She was preceded in death by her two children, Raymond Blankenbaker and Donna Harter of Salem, and a sister Dolores Williams of Campbellsburg.

A visitation at Weather’s Funeral Home is pending for Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 2 p.m. with visitation immediately preceding. A burial and graveside service will follow at Mt. Washington Cemetery where she will rest between her children.

Flowers and donations may be made in her name to Weather’s Funeral Home: 106 S. Shelby St., Salem, IN 47167.

Ms. Blankenbaker was gifted with a rare intensity and wholesome pursuit of every moment as it passed. Both her life and death are surely part of the same great adventure. Just as she remembered every one of her family’s births, deaths, and events before her, we will never forget her.


Want to know when stuff like this is published?
Sign up for my email list.

Photo of Justin Harter

About JUSTIN HARTER

Justin has been around the Internet long enough to remember when people started saying “content is king”.

He has worked for some of Indiana’s largest companies, state government, taught college-level courses, and about 1.1M people see his work every year.

You’ll probably see him around Indianapolis on a bicycle.

1 thought on “Wilma Jean Blankenbaker”

Leave a Comment