Melvin Reed Blanchard Sr.

Melvin Reed Blanchard Sr., 76, of Cambridge, went home to be with the Lord on Friday (Nov. 8, 2013) at Southeastern Med. He was born May 10, 1937, in Steubenville, son of the late Walter Blanchard and Ethel Grisby. He was raised by Lillian Earley. Mr. Blanchard was a retired oil field worker. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and was a Catholic by faith. He was an avid Bengals fan and followed all sports. He was a great husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by brothers, Walter and Bernie; a sister, Dorothy Harrison; and foster mother, Lillian Earley. He leaves his wife, Brenda F. Logwood Blanchard of the home, whom he married April 23, 1953; five sons, Melvin Blanchard, Kevin (Loretta) Blanchard, Jeffery (Valerie) Blanchard, Brian Blanchard and Dwain Blanchard (companion, Misty), all of Cambridge; two daughters, Talena (Bill) Lawson of Mt. Clemens, Mich., Tiffanie Blanchard (companion, Lawrence) of Cambridge; a sister, Georgia Mae (Saul) Washington of McDonald, Pa.; 20 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge, where services will follow at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Randolph White officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Guernsey County Veterans Council.