A Merchant Here 42.33 Years, Was In State Legislature Two Years

 

William Henry Blankenbeker,. 76, died Monday night at his home, 501 South Chestnut street: He had been bedfast two weeks but had been in declining health the past two years. He was one of Olathe's leading merchants, retired, the senior member of the firm of BlankenBeker and Snider, which operated the Ideal department store here for nearly forty-two years, from 1903 until September, 1944, when they sold to Melaney'x He was a représentative to the State Legislature in 1917 end 1918; was a past president of the Mer chants and Farmers association, which was later reorganized into the Olathe Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of direc tors of the chamber of commerce several years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and of the Methodist church at Olathe. was one of the influential citizens who promoted good roads in the days of the first marked state and national highways. through Middle West. He was born in Martinsville, . where he allended. “school. He married Miss Nola Snider at Rich Jill, Mo., in 1896. The couple cele brated their fiftieth wedding annl versary on Easter Sunday, April They came to Olathe in` January, 1903 and established a dry goods and notion store under the firm name ofg. Blankenbeker & Solder. They operated a branch store at Gardner for several years. 

 

He is survived by his wife, Mrs Lenok E. Blankenbeker of the home, one daughter, Miss A. Louise Blankerbeker of the homb. two Fons, William L. Blankenbeker and J. Frank Blankenbeker, both of Los Angeles, Calif., and. grandchildren. and three Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock today. (Thursday).. in the Methodist church, conducted by the Rev. Owen W. Prince and the Rev. Gene Frank, Mr. Blanken beker's body will lie in state in the church parlor from, 10 €. m. until the hour of the service when the casket will be closed W. L. Frye.& Son are in charge of arrangements.