Howard Sherman Blankenship, 75 of Bedford, VA passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born on Sunday, March 17, 1935 in Bedford County, a son of the late Edgar Blankenship and Ruth Farley Blankenship. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Thomas (Tom) Blankenship. He was a retired mechanic, was a member of Moose Lodge #1727 and was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force. Surviving are his sisters, Emma Vedder of NY; Martha Edwards, Ann Goad, both of Bedford; Eleanor Blankenship of College Park, MD as well as many nieces & nephews and great nieces & nephews. The family requests those wishing to make memorials to consider Bedford Ride, 1613 Oakwood Street, Bedford, VA 24523 or Meals on Wheels, P. O. Box 1390, Lynchburg, VA 23505. Funeral services will be held at the graveside on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 1 PM at Virginia Memorial Park with Rev. David Bayse officiating. Friends may call Thursday after 1 PM and the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.