Robert E. ‘Earl’ Blanton, age 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at his home in Punkin Center.
He was born February 18, 1928 in Sylva, North Carolina the son of Albert and Rachel Shuler Blanton.
Earl grew up in North Carolina and came to Skagit County in 1947.
Earl was united in marriage to Joan Sutton on April 17, 1948 in Lyman, and earlier this year they celebrated 61 years together and residing in Punkin Center for the past 60 years.
Earl worked as a machinist-mechanic for Lone Star Cement in Concrete for 20 years and later for the Scott Paper Co. for 21 years, retiring in 1989.
He was a member of the Punkin Center Fire Dept and a member and Deacon at the Hamilton First Baptist Church.
Earl enjoyed bowling in his younger years, wood working, gardening, camping, fishing and hunting.
He is survived by his wife Joan Blanton at the family home in Punkin Center. His daughter, Juanita Judd and her husband, Mack and a daughter-in-law, Peggy Blanton, all of Punkin Center. Nine grandchildren, Lynnette and Dean Judd, Bobbi Jo Witlow, Michelle Brisson, Trevor Holt, Chrissi Dills and Jimmy, Dusty, and Christina Anderson. Seven great-grandchildren, Danielle, Bailey, Nathan, Paige, Madalynn, Grace and Kassidy Jo. Two brothers, Ernest Blanton of Bend, OR and Edward Blanton and his wife, Judy of Sedro-Woolley. Three sisters, Louise Buchanan and her husband Henry of Sedro-Woolley, Vergie Hanson of Phoenix, AZ and Pauline Wyatt of Yakima, WA and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Alan and a sister Inez.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Ron Edwards of the Hamilton First Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at the Hamilton Cemetery. A reception will follow the services at the Hamilton First Baptist Church. Visitation is available on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9AM to 5PM at Lemley Chapel.

To view the webcast of the service click here.