George L. Blankenship, 74

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George L. Blankenship, 74, of Hillsboro, died on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hough and Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, June 8, beginning at 10 a.m. at Hillsboro Free Methodist Church with the Rev. Randy Sands officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery in Van Burensburg.

Mr. Blankenship was born June 26, 1946, in Hillsboro, to George A. and Esther M. (Dressor) Blankenship. He married Geneva Smith of June 14, 1969, and she survives.

He graduated from Hillsboro High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from SIU-C and a master of education in agriculture from the University of Illinois.

Mr. Blankenship was a lifelong farmer and taught ag class at Hillsboro High school for over seven years. He also coached wrestling.

He was a member of Hillsboro Free Methodist Church and had served on the Hillsboro school board for over 16 years, Montgomery County board, Hillsboro Lions Club as past president, Montgomery County Farm Bureau as past president and Montgomery County Water Company as past president.

Mr. Blankenship enjoyed antique tractors, fishing, traveling and loved his family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three children, Leigh Ellen (Brian) Spooner of Clifton, Alan Blankenship and Amy Hernandez, both of Hillsboro; and six grandchildren, Brian, Brock and Brenna Spooner, Dustin Gipson and Christian and Maria Hernandez.

Mr. Blankenship was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be directed to Hillsboro Free Methodist Church.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.houghfuneralhome.com.