Dean Blankenship, 86, of Springfield, MO passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2016 in St. Louis, MO.  He was born February 1, 1930 in Melbourne, Arkansas to Loren and Altha Blankenship.

Dean served in the US Air Force, was a teacher, and worked for the MO Department of Education as counselor in vocational rehabilitation.

Dean is survived by his loving son Greg (Mary) Blankenship; cherished grandchildren, Emily Blankenship, Nathan (Rachel) Schweigert, Maggie (Shane) Stamps,  Matt (Mandi) Schweigert; great-grandchildren,  Hayden, Mia, Gavin, Ava, and Mason.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 14, 2016 from 3:00-5:00 pm, and funeral services will be Monday, August 15 at 10:00 am. in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 9370 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63132, noting Dean Blankenship in the check memo or online at ALZ.org.