Rodger L. Blankenship

Rodger L. Blankenship, 77, died early Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at home under the watchful care of his family and Avita Hospice.

He was born on August 13, 1948 in Matewan, West Virginia to the late Venis “Leo” and Freeda Blankenship. He was also preceded in death by his infant sister, Patsy Lee Blankenship in 1954.

On February 15, 1969, he married Dana M. (Smith) Blankenship in Bucyrus, Ohio. She survives along with a son, Ryan L. (Tina) Blankenship of Jeffersonton, Virginia and a daughter, Heather L. Blankenship (Christy Calloway) of Columbus, Ohio; grandsons Christopher J. (Hannah) Blankenship, New Jersey and Stephen T. Blankenship, Virginia; bonus grandchildren in Virginia, Tara (Josue) Franco and Josh Sargent; and bonus great grandchildren, Landon, Emerson and Ellie Franco.

Rodger was raised in Pike County, Kentucky. He came to Bucyrus in 1965 and graduated from Bucyrus High School, class of ’66. After high school, he joined the Ohio Air National Guard and served 6 years from 1967 to 1973. He then worked as a journeyman welder for several local industries before joining the Bucyrus Police Department on January 1, 1971. Rodger served as a patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant, and retired as a captain on August 16, 1995. He was a member of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #68 and American Legion Post 181.

His outside interests were anything “outdoorsy,” hunting, fishing, spending time with his family, and camping. He spent many hours tending to his vegetable garden, asparagus and berry patches. Together, he and Dana canned most of what they ate. They even ground their own wheat and made fresh baked bread. He enjoyed the babies produced in the bluebird boxes and all the other wildlife that wandered in their yard. Together they raised orphaned babies and returned them to the wild including squirrels, raccoons and even a great horned owl.

All services for Rodger will be held on Saturday, June 27 at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Family will receive friends from 11am-12:55 pm and a memorial service will begin at 1:00 pm with Pastor Andrea Taphorn officiating.

Memorial contributions can be made payable to Avita Hospice, Disabled American Vets, Gifts for Yanks, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook of Rodger’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.