Eleanor Nell Blankenship

Eleanor Nell was born on December 27, 1937 in Windsor, Ohio, the daughter of Anthony and Nelly Ann Basilius.  The family moved from Ohio to Anaheim, California when she was young.  She met Gerald J. "Jerry" Blankenship and they were married on October 5, 1956 after he returned from his service in Korea with the United States Marine Corps.  They made their home in California for a few years before moving to Klamath Falls and later to Salem before moving to Cove in 1983.

Eleanor worked as an insurance agent and homemaker.  She was Catholic by faith.  She was a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in Union.  She enjoyed crafting and playing pinochle with the club in North Powder and she loved to fish.  

Relatives who remain are her husband, of almost 70 years, Jerry of Cove, sons and their spouses, Wane & Robyn of Cove, Jim & Dianne of Raleigh, South Carolina; four grandchildren; a brother Anthony and a sister Nellie Ann, both of Anaheim, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister and a daughter-in-law Glenda (Wulf) Blankenship.

Eleanor passed away Friday, September 18, 2026 at her home with her husband and family by her side.

Friends who wish may make contributions in memory of Eleanor Blankenship to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.