Walter R. Blank

82nd Airborne Purple Heart Recepient

Walter R. Blank, 84 of Lake City, died following an extended illness at Millcreek Community Hospital on Friday March 14, 2008.
He was born in Scottdale, Pa, a son of the late Elmer R. and Irene King Blank.

Walter graduated from the Grove City High School in 1942. With America at war, Walter entered the US Army and joined the 82nd Airborne, Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was deployed overseas to North Africa and later Italy, Holland and Germany where he was wounded in combat action by a morter shell. He was awarded several medals and decorations for bravery including the Purple Heart during his time of service.

Upon his discharge from the military in 1946 he moved to Lake City where his family had been residing. He worked many years at Erie Forge and Steel, Towne Square Foods in Lake City and most recently for Meadow Brook Dairy, from which he retired.

He was a member of the Federated Church of East Springfield where he was an usher; the Lake Erie Community Park Board of Directors, a former Lake City Boro Councilman (1973-1977) and Zoning Administrator for Girard Township and Lake City.

Walter loved the NASCAR races and especially enjoyed the Dale Earnhardt Sr and Jr. He also liked gem mining and collecting, reading, going to flea markets and auctions, and spending time with his family.

He will be greatly missed by his family, which includes his wife, Virginia Harmon Blank, whom he married February 14, 1953 in Girard, also by a daughter, Linda J. Blank of Erie; a son, Terry R. Blank of Woodbridge, VA.; a sister, Martha J. Smith of Girard; a brother, Robert A. Blank and his wife Lillian of Port Charlotte, FL.; his beloved dog, Roxy, Grandcat Chancey, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Monday from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at Daniel R. Edder Funeral Home, 309 Main St. East, Girard and are invited to attend services there on Tuesday at 11AM. Pastor Ed Huntley will be officiating. Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials may be made to the Federated Church, 11995 E. Main St., East Springfield, PA. 16411 or to the Humane Society, 2702 Interchange Rd., Erie, PA. 16506

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