Irvin Levi Blanchard

Irvin Levi Blanchard, 80, Sheldon, Mo., passed away on May 28, 2011, at Barton County Memorial Hospital, after a short illness.

Irvin was born Nov. 3, 1930, to Ezra and Isabell (Spoon) Blanchard at Oakton, Mo. He moved from the Blue School area to the Sheldon area in 1948. He graduated from Sheldon High School. He was a Korean War veteran.

Irvin married Betty Owen on March 31, 1956, in Lamar, Mo. He farmed, and then started a used farm equipment business in 1980 until the May 4, 2003 tornado.

Irvin is survived by his wife, Betty; one son, Stan Blanchard and wife, Sheila, of Sheldon, Mo.; two daughters, Kathy Blanchard of Lamar, Mo., and Kristy Blanchard of the home; four sisters, Clara Hobson of Jasper, Mo., Leta Moore of Emporia, Kan., Pauline Rogers and husband, Jim, of Lamar, Mo., and Loretta Owen and husband, Dean, of Lamar, Mo.; one brother, Harold Blanchard and wife, Kay, of Lamar, Mo.; two step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Irvin was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Lillie Flesch; and three brothers-in-law, John Flesch, Lloyd Hobson and Claude Moore.

He was a member of the Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., today, at Konantz-Warden Funeral Home. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Konantz-Warden Funeral Home.