Deacon Blankenstein dies Sept. 27

Deacon Eddie Blankenstien died Sept. 27 after a long illness. He was 77.

Deacon Blankenstein was born Oct. 18, 1937.  A resident of Beaumont at the time of his passing, Blankenstein graduated from St. Mary Catholic High School in 1956.

Deacon Blankenstein was ordained a permanent deacon in 1992. He retired in 2011. He was assigned to St. Mary Church, Orange, from 1992 to 1998. He then went to St. Henry Parish, Bridge City, and then requested assignment to St. Francis of Assisi, Orange. Even though he had reached mandatory retirement he still continued to serve his parish and the Diocese of Beaumont.  He will be missed by all who ever met him.

Visitation will be from 4 until 6 p.m. on Oct. 2 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 4300 Meeks, Orange. A wake for Deacon Blankenstein will held at 6 p.m. Oct. 2 at St. Francis with Deacon Steve Obernuefermann presiding. Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Con-celebrant will be Father Tom Phelan, pastor, St. Jude Thaddeus Church, Beaumont. Deacons of the diocese will assist. Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Orange.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Roberta Blankenstein; his brother, Rev. Robert Blankenstein and his wife, Kathleen of Iron Mountain, Michigan; brothers-in-law Dr. Jimmy Frank Howell of Houston and Dave Krause of Salado.

Deacon Blankenstein is survived by his wife of 57 years, Martha, who was his high school sweetheart; daughter, Donna Scheer and husband, Gary, of Orange, and granddaughters Christine Scheer of Houston and Stephanie Scheer of Dallas; daughter, Tessa Golsch and husband, Dennis, and grandchildren, Dane and Tory, all from Cibolo; daughter Chesney Govella, and husband, Gilbert, and grandchildren, Jessica and Grant, all from Pearland; sister, Roberta Howell, of Houston; and sister, Anne Krause of Salado.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Manuel Hababag, Dr. Marina Konopleva, and Mary Alma Welch, P.A., for their endless care and support during his extended illness.  The love, support and prayers from family, friends and the community were appreciated beyond words.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to one of the following organizations: The Monastery of the Infant Jesus, 1501 Lotus Lane, Lufkin, Texas, 75904, or St. Francis of Assisi Church Building Fund, 4300 Meeks Drive, Orange Texas 77632.