RALPH ERNEST (ERNIE) BLANKENSHIP, 79, of Hagerstown, Maryland, died on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at his home. Born June 10, 1931 in Davin, West Virginia, he was the son of the late James Cloyd and Corbie Cleo Trent Blankenship. He served in the U. S. Air Force. He was retired from the construction industry. He was of the protestant faith. He was a member of Morris Frock, American Legion Post 42. He was a former leader of Troop 66, Boy Scouts of America. He is survived by his wife, Jane Davies Blankenship; two daughters, Teresa E. Blankenship, and her husband, Mark, of Dayton, Ohio, and Korby L. Hill of Hagerstown; three sisters, Beulah Thomas, Ada Lee Tye, and Alma Sue Cobler; three brothers, William Hassel Blankenship, Norman R. Blankenship, and Larry (Pete) Blankenship; and grandchildren, Lauren Irving, Lindsay Irving, Conner Hill, and Camryn Hill, all of Hagerstown. He was preceded in death by one sister, Juanita Queen, and two brothers, Ulvert Blankenship, and James C. Blankenship, Jr. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a. m. Wednesday at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 East Wilson Boulevard, Hagerstown. The Rev. Wayne Kuhns will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p. m. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742.