Dale Lee Blankenship, 53

Dale Lee Blankenship, 53, of Pinehurst, Idaho, passed away Feb. 24, 2024, at his home in Pinehurst. Dale was born April 6, 1970, to his father, Dennis Lee Blankenship, and mother Gayle (Blankenship) Lucas Erickson in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. 

Dale grew up in Rathdrum, Idaho, living with his father, Dennis Blankenship, stepmother Brenda Blankenship along with two of his brothers, Bill Blankenship and Ben Inglis. He graduated from Lakeland High School in 1988. Soon after graduation, Dale served his country and joined the United States Marine Corps. Dale served in Desert Storm during his tenure with the Marines. While stationed in San Diego, he met Cheryl (Blankenship) Davis and together had their daughter, Ashley Blankenship, born Dec. 15, 1993. After the Marine Corps, Dale moved to Colfax, Wash., and worked as a U.S. postman. As he looked for the right career and moved following family members across the PAC NW, Dale settled in Pinehurst, Idaho, close to his family. While living in Pinehurst with his cousin and close friend Cory Cropp and his family, Dale worked close by at the Pioneer Lodge, where he was loved by the local regulars in the town. 

In Dale’s younger years, he enjoyed his time outdoors with his family when he could. He enjoyed hunting camp with his grandfathers, father, brothers, uncle and cousin. He also enjoyed playing golf when he could with his family. Dale was a very intelligent individual, sometimes too much for his own good. This would have him strike up very interesting conversations about life with all kinds of people. His great sense of humor would generate great laughter in a group setting, including himself. His great laugh and humor will be greatly missed. Dale became a man of faith and spent a lot of days later in life reading his Bible and studying about his religion. 

Dale became a proud grandfather in 2021 to his first grandson, Finley Carter Blankenship (4/21/2021), and then a second time to his second grandson, Caden Lee Blankenship (7/03/2022). Dale enjoyed the precious moments he got to spend with his daughter and two grandsons. 

Dale is survived by his daughter, Ashley Blankenship, and two grandsons, Finley and Caden Blankenship; his parents, Dennis and Brenda Blankenship; his mother, Gayle Erickson; three brothers, Bill (Liz) Blankenship, Chuck (Melissa) Blankenship, and Ben (Cralene) Inglis; an uncle and aunt, Ray and Sherry Cropp; cousin Cory Cropp; and many nieces and nephews. 

Memorial services will be held at the Pioneer Lodge in Pinehurst, Idaho, on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. for local friends and family along with a private service at a later date at the family property this summer. 

Memories of Dale and messages of condolence may be shared with his family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Blankenship family with Dale’s arrangements.