Michael Blankenship

Michael Benjamin Blankenship, age 63, of Ottawa Lake, MI passed away on December 1, 2024. He was born in Toledo, OH on February 2, 1961, to Arnold & Betty Blankenship. Michael graduated from Macomber High School in 1979 and then earned his commercial driver’s license. He worked as a truck driver for 42 years for United Trucking, Freightway, and Chrysler Transport, and then retired in 2021. Everyone enjoyed spending time with Michael – at barbeques he hosted at his home, visiting with friends at local taverns and the Moose Lodge, fishing on his boat, riding dune buggies in the mountains, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers and the Detroit Tigers. Throughout his life, Michael adopted numerous dogs from shelters and provided them with a safe and loving home. 

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold & Betty Blankenship; and his grandparents, Ben & Alice Blankenship and James & Clara Moses. He is survived by his siblings, Edwin Blankenship (Kara Jennings) of Toledo, OH and Cheri (John) McLeod of Northfield Center, OH; his nephews and nieces, Evan Blankenship of Breckenridge, CO; Lauren (Bryan) Stanbridge of Plantation, FL; Ian (Chloe) McLeod of Hoboken, NJ; Kyle (Sarah) McLeod of Upper Arlington, OH; and Kelly (Michael) Coletta of New Albany, OH; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

 A  visitation for Mike will be on Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. with his funeral service starting at 1:00 p.m.  at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd, Toledo, OH. A graveside service will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. Luncheon for family and friends will be after the graveside service at AJ’s Doolittle’s Sports Bar & Grill, 8525 Secor Rd, Lambertville, MI. 

Michael was known for his incredible generosity and supported Cherry Street Mission Ministries. In lieu of flowers, his family would love for his legacy to continue through donations to an animal shelter of your choice and the Cherry Street Mission Ministries at cherrystreetmission.org.