DELAWARE, Md. — Rev. Kermit Joe Blankenship Sr., 73, of Delaware, Md., passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, November 24, 2012, surrounded by his loving family at the Delaware Court Health Care Center.

Born January 26, 1939, in Holden, he was a son of the late Richard and Rachel Ramey Blankenship. Also preceding him in death were three brothers Aubrey, Audley, and his twin Curtis.

On January 31, 1959, he married the love of his life Rebecca Staton and later moved to Delaware in 1966 where he worked for General/Liberty Castings. He was a member of the Lewis Center Freewill Baptist Church who enjoyed gardening, bowling, and playing softball.

Left behind to cherish his memory include his wife; four sons, Ken (Penny) of Marengo, Md., Keith of Marysville, Md., Jay R. of Delaware, and Kevin (Angie) of Ashley, Md.; three daughters, Teresa (Ted) Glassburn of Delaware, Ternia (Tony) Walker of Marengo, and Tracey (Kelly) Green of Radnor, Md.; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Emmett of Kenova, Cebern of Holden, and Thomas of Swiss, W.Va., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, November 29, at the Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center with Rev. Dorsel Messick and Rev. Tony Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Marlborough Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral center.

The family will then host a reception in the Snyder-Rodman Community Room.

Contributions in Kermit’s memory may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 540 Officenter Place No. 100, Columbus, Ohio 43230.

Condolences may be left at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com

The Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center of Delaware, Md., is honored to serve the Blankenship family.