Joseph E. "Dr. Joe" Blankenbeker

Joseph E. “Dr. Joe” Blankenbeker, 70, former Superintendent of Brownstown Central and South Ripley Community School Corporations; and Indiana Department of Education Official, left his earthly home and joyfully entered into the arms of his Heavenly Father on December 23, 2014. A native of Jeffersonville, IN, he was the fifth child of Gladys Amelia (Stemler) and Howard Rush Blankenbeker, and was born November 5, 1944. His parents and his older brother, Rollyn Howard Blankenbeker, and his older sister, Carol Sue Potter, predeceased him. He was the loving husband of Margaret Helen (Scholey) Blankenbeker for 47 years. From their marriage they have a daughter, Jennifer Elaine (Tim) Harms, of Lawrence, IN; and three sons, Dr. Timothy Howard (Miranda) Blankenbeker of South Bend, IN, James Clifford Blankenbeker of Louisville, KY, and Stephen Joseph (Lauren) Blankenbeker of Wanamaker, IN. They have seven grandchildren, Koryn, Caleb and Adeline Harms, Ella, Evan, Ruby June and Levi Blankenbeker. He is also survived by his sisters, Judith (Conrad) Storz, Claudia Griffin, and Rita (Allan) Dean. Joe graduated from Jeffersonville High School, Jeffersonville, IN, in 1962. He completed four degrees from Indiana University, a BA in Social Service, MSW, Educational Specialist and Ed.D. He was a member of Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ where he was a member of the board, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and chaired the Mission Committee. Joe was also a member of the Indiana Retired Public School Superintendents, the Indiana Retired Teachers Association, Past President of the Lions Club of Indianapolis, Past District Governor of District 25F of Lions Club International, and recipient in 2004 of Sagamore of the Wabash. Visitation will be Friday, January 2, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, 9606 E. Washington St. and Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, 603 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Burial will be at Walnut Ridge Cemetery, Jeffersonville, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to, Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, Memorial Gift, 603 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-4604 or the Indiana Lions Cancer Control Fund, Inc., Department of Radiation Oncology, 535 Barnhill, RTO41, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5289 or Joe's boyhood church, St. Luke's United Church of Christ, 329 Walnut St., Jeffersonville, IN 47130 and/or the Gladys A. (Stemler) Blankenbeker Memorial Scholarship, Greater Clark County Schools, 2112 Utica-Sellersburg Road, Jeffersonville, IN 47130. Online condolences may be made at www.shirleybrothers.com.

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Joseph E. "Dr. Joe" Blankenbeker

November 5, 1944 - December 23, 2014