DAVID BLANTON

SIKESTON -- David Edgar Blanton, 91, of Sikeston died Sunday, Dec. 12, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center, following a brief illness.

He was born Oct. 17, 1908, in East Falls Church, Va., son of Charles L. and Mary Agnes Cullen Blanton. He first married Mary Anne "Polly" Hearne June 17, 1940. She died Feb. 15, 1964. He then married Kate Hearne Smith Nov. 25, 1970. She died April 21, 1983. He and Emma Crouthers Doster were married March 28, 1987.

Blanton had lived in Sikeston since 1913. He was a 1926 graduate of Sikeston High School, 1931 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, and 1934 graduate of Harvard Law School.

He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1934 and practiced law with his brother, Harry C. Blanton, at the firm then known as Blanton and Montgomery. He was with the firm, now Blanton, Rice, Sidwell and Nickell, L.L.C., for 65 years. He was an active member of the firm at the time of his death.

Blanton served two terms as prosecuting attorney of Scott County. He served on the Missouri Bar Board of Governors from 1968-75 and on the Southeast Missouri Legal Services Board of Directors many years.

He was active in civic and political affairs in Sikeston and the state of Missouri. He was appointed an honorary Missouri colonel by Govs. John M. Dalton and Warren E. Hearnes during their terms as governor.

Blanton was appointed by then Gov. Christopher Bond to serve on the Missouri Election Commission from 1975-78.

He was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce in 1996, and was the founding member and administrator of Sikeston Educational Foundation.

Blanton was a member and former deacon and elder of Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church. He received many honors in the legal profession, including membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. David Blanton Jr. of Baltimore; a daughter, Kate Dempsey of Mobile, Ala.; four stepsons, Richard and Frank Smith, Gary and G. Scott Doster; two stepdaughters, Clara Wheeler and Cathy Fair; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters and a granddaughter.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Tom Bass officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.