Celest Marcella Blankenship

Celest Marcella Blankenship, 101, of Hillsboro, passed away in her home Sunday morning, November 16, 2025. She was born in Coffeen on August 30, 1924, a daughter to Joseph and Theresa Limper. She graduated from Hillsboro High School with the Class of 1941. She and Sidney Blankenship were married on February 10, 1950, in Union City, TN. He preceded her in death on September 28, 1976. Celest was employed 37 years by Hillsboro Glass. She enjoyed gardening; she had a garden in Challacombe House Park and was a member of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau.

Celest is survived by:

3 sons, Dennis (Donni Sorrel) Michael of Tallahassee, FL, Sidney (Annette) Blankenship of Hillsboro, Mark (Jan) Blankenship of Rantoul

2 daughters, Amy (Warren) Kennedy of Greenville and Anita (Larry) Merriman of Ramsey

12 grandchildren, Tammy (Jim) Coleman, Tracy (John) Walker, Kelly Michael, Kara (Kevin Potter) Merriman, Cory (Emily) Merriman, Kurt (Angie) Merriman, Amanda (Ben) Cunningham, Andrea (Brad) Green, Anna (Brian) Limbaugh, Dana Blankenship, Wade (Brooke) Blankenship, and Jeff (Morgan) Blankenship

28 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren

Several nieces and nephews

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Adelle Blankenship; her brother, Fred Limper, who was killed in action during WWII at Iwo Jima; sisters, Myra Sherer and Lessie Otter; grandchildren Kenneth Kennedy and Joseph Michael; great-grandchildren Ella & Emma Merriman.

A Mass of Christian Burial is planned at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hillsboro on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 12:00 noon. Fr. Daniel Willenborg will preside. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. The family asks memorials are directed to the St. Agnes Catholic Church Building Fund.