Dec. 2, 1947 – Dec. 11, 2010
Gail Marie Blatchley, 63, of Crawfordsville died Dec. 11, 2010 at her home, succumbing to her long battle with cancer.
She was born Dec. 2, 1947 in Lebanon, the second of three children to Hubert Eldon and Lois Opel (Nieman) Banta.
She lived in Crawfordsville and attended elementary school there. She graduated from Sweet Home Union High in 1966. She also attended nursing school.
She married William “Bill” Blatchley on Feb. 28, 1970. In 1973 the Blatchleys and sons Billy and Josh moved to southeast Alaska where they made their home in Wrangell for 17 years. They made good friends there. In 1989, they returned to Crawfordsville.
Mrs. Blatchley enjoyed traveling, visiting, reading and taking care of the many she loved. She will be well remembered for her smile and warm attitude, and her love of good conversation.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Blatchley; sons Bill and daughter-in-law Peg Blatchley, Brandy and daughter-in-law Rosanne James, and Josh and daughter-in-law Dee Dee Blatchley; brothers Jack and sister-in-law Peg Banta, and Jerry and sister-in-law Debbie Banta; seven grandchildren; and many family and friends from near and far.
Mrs. Blatchley was preceded in death by her parents.
A celebration of her life will be held in the spring in 2011 on a sunny day. In lieu of flowers, make donations in Mrs. Blatchley’s name to the Samaritan Emenheiser Center at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.