Donald Lee Blankenship Sr., 75, of Buskirk, Ky., died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, at the Trinity Healthcare nursing facility of Williamson.

He was born in War Eagle, July 20, 1934, a son of the late Oscar and Lilly Daugherty Blankenship. In addition to his parents, Donald is preceded in death by brother Troy and his wife Orma Lee Blankenship

Donald was a UAW union steward at Bendix Corporation of St. Joseph Mich., he was a carpenter, having built three homes, and also worked as a coal miner. In addition to his other accomplishments Donald founded and operated the Roadrunner in Pie for numerous years.

Donald’s work in the ministry was evident throughout Illinois, Nebraska, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Michigan. By allowing God’s love to be manifested through his pastoral work, Donald was instrumental in leading numerous lost souls to Christ. When health allowed Donald attended the Tornado Apostolic Church in Tornado. He helped found and build the Apostolic Tabernacle at Lick Creek — a place in which he loved and held close to his heart. All aspects of the building such as the steeple, the design of the church and the alter serve as evidence of not only his talents but his love for the work of God. Donald will be lovingly remembered not only by the Apostolic Church of Lick Creek, but also by the church family of the Apostolic Church of Tornado. Donald’s work in the ministry is a legacy that he has passed onto his sons, four of his children have served as pastors or are currently serving as pastors. Among his other accomplishments Donald loved genealogy and completed in depth research on the Blankenship, McCoy and Mounts families. He compiled his research into four books in which he had published. Donald was also instrumental with the history of the Matewan area where he was actively involved in the Matewan Massacre re-enactment and he served as a tour guide freely sharing his knowledge to all that visited the area.

He is survived by his wife, Deloris J. Lambert Blankenship; sons, Wade (Tina) Blankenship of Coloma, Mich., Keith (Joyce) Blankenship of Holden, Zane (Melshelia) Blankenship of Turkey Creek, Ky., Mitchell (Charlene) Blankenship of St. Albans and Donald Jr. (Phyllis) Blankenship of Williamson; sister, Gretna (Johnny) Sansom of Coloma; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; special cousin, Delmar Dingess; and a host of nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, Febr. 6, at the Chambers Funeral Services Chapel with the Revs. Wilson Hudson, Daniel Coleman, Opie Harris and Wade Blankenship officiating. Burial will follow in the Buskirk (Ky.) Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family will begin receiving friends on will begin receiving friends Friday, from 6 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the chapel with a special service at 7 p.m.

You are invited to share expressions of sympathy online at www.chambersfuneralservices.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Chambers Funeral Services of Matewan.