WHITE PIGEON, Mich. -- Richard E. Blanton, 53, of 68970 N. Terrace Drive, died at 12:15 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 13, 2007) in Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, from liver failure from a bone marrow transplant.

He was born Oct. 7, 1954, in Elkhart, Ind., to Elmer L. and Mary Lou (Reichard) Blanton. He married Kathy J. Blanton on Sept. 15, 1984.

She survives along with one son, Jayson (Shannon) Blanton of Riverside, Calif.; two grandchildren; one brother, Randy L. Blanton of Elkhart; one sister, Rhonda (John) Vierwinden of Nuevo, Calif.; his father and stepmother, Elmer and Mary Ellen Blanton of Elkhart; and his mother and stepfather, Mary Lou and Theodore Demerly of Elkhart.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. John Blodgett of First Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be in Prairie Street Cemetery.

Mr. Blanton was the regional service manager for Coachmen Industries, Middlebury, and was formerly employed at Richardson's RV in California. He loved boating, fishing and watching NASCAR. He attended First Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences

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