Violet May Blanton, age 80, passed away Thursday, June 17, 2004 at the Mira Vista Care Center in Mount Vernon, WA. She was born May 21, 1924 in Rapelje, Montana the daughter of Fred and Christina Erfle Kirchner. Violet grew up and attended school and graduated from high school in Rapelje, MT. After graduation, she attended Milwaukee Railroad Training School in Miles City, MT. She met Jim Pinelli while working for the Milwaukee Railway in Morton, WA and they were married on November 24, 1944. They returned to Hamilton, WA, residing there until his death in 1948. She returned to Rapelje and later met and married Vernon Blanton on July 26, 1956 in Burlington, WA. They resided in Birdsview from 1957 until his passing in 1996 and she continued to live at the family home until moving to Mount Vernon in November of 2000. Violet worked for the railroad in the office in Sedro-Woolley for many years as well as raising and caring for her family. She enjoyed gardening, camping, sewing, crocheting, but most of all she was known as a ‘great cook’ and as a ‘kind person’. Violet loved her church and was a 47 year member of the Community Bible Church of Concrete where she was very active and served as a Sunday school teacher.
She is survived by her sons Jim and his wife Judy Pinelli and Rick Blanton and his companion Sandy VanderVeen all of Sedro-Woolley. Grandsons Bryan Pinelli and J.R. Blanton and great grandchildren Mackenzie and Hunter Pinelli all of Sedro-Woolley. A brother and sister in law Clarence and Helen Kirchner of Rapelje, MT and three sisters in laws Helen Kirchner of Rapelje, MT, Ann Kirchner of Billings, MT, and Mary Blanton of Sedro-Woolley. Numerous nieces and nephews and a special longtime friend Doris Massingale of Birdsview. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and brothers Edward and Harold Kirchner.
The family would like to express a special ‘thank you’ to the staff at Mira Vista Care Center and to Judy’s niece Kellie Burress and sister Beverly Siegrist. Memorials are suggested to the Community Bible Church of Concrete.
Graveside Services will be Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at 2:00 PM at the Hamilton Cemetery with Pastor Rob Thomas of the Community Bible Church of Concrete officiating. Visitation will be Monday, June 21st from 9AM to 5PM and from 7PM to 8PM at Lemley Chapel. Arrrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Violet by signing our online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com.