Kenneth R. Blanchard

Kenneth R. Blanchard, 96, of Buffalo Prairie died Saturday, July 30, 2011 at the Mercer County Nursing Home in Aledo.  Services are 10:00 AM Saturday, Aug. 6 at Zion Lutheran Church, Taylor Ridge.  Burial is in the Zion Lutheran cemetery.  Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Friday at Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo where memorials may be left to the Zion Lutheran Church or Cystic Fibrosis.  Online condolences can be made at www.fippingerfuneralhome.com.

 He was born December 3, 1914 in Buffalo Prairie to Allen and Pauline Mueller Blanchard.  He attended the West Buffalo School and  married Pauline Mast.  He later married Arelene Gillett January 16, 1946.    She died August 17, 2001.

 Kenneth farmed all of his life in Buffalo Prairie and was employed at John Deere Plow/Planter in Moline retiring in 1979.  He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Rock Island County Farm Bureau and was a former member of the Rock Island County Fair Board.  He loved to travel, play cards, play bingo and attend his grandchildren’s activities.

 Survivors include 3 sons, Paul Lynn (Fran) Blanchard of Dallas, Texas, Robert (Karen) Blanchard of Round Lake, Gary (Sandra) Blanchard of Buffalo Prairie, 12 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and four step-great. grandchildren.

 His parents, wife, one daughter, Joyce Baker. one son Lyle and a sister Vera Danner preceded him in death.