Obituaries

March 31, 1963 to June 23, 2013

WINAMAC - Michael E. "Tank" Blinn, 50, Winamac, passed away at 8:52 a.m., Sunday, June 23, as the result of a motorcycle accident in Portageville, MO.

He was born March 31, 1963 in Winamac, one of the first babies born in Pulaski Memorial Hospital.

Survivors include his parents, Tom and Charlotte Haselby Blinn of Winamac; Brenda McIntosh of Winamac; sister Lore (Randy) Gibson, niece Maia Gibson, nephew James Gibson, all of Lafayette; Aunt Carol Danruther, Rensselaer; Aunt Evelyn Haselby, Star City; Aunt Marie (Blaine) Brown, Florida; many cousins, and his faithful dog, Jack.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Luther and May House Blinn; Firman and Hazel Hiatt Haselby; Eli Heater, Ed Kuehl, and Paul Mewhiney; nieces Susanna, Corinne and Emme Gibson; and his faithful dog, Hootie.

Mr. Blinn attended Star City Elementary School and graduated from Winamac Community High School. He was employed as a salesman for Gilsinger Implement. He wrote weekly columns for the Pulaski County Journal. A Pulaski County resident for his entire life, he was a former farmer and truck driver. He was co-owner of Edgewood Enterprises.

Mr. Blinn was a member of Kankakee Valley H.O.G.; Pulaski County Area Plan Commission Board; former board chairman of the Pulaski County Soil & Water Conservation District; and Star City United Methodist Church. He was "a great American," a gear head, and a community leader. He was never happier than when he was on his Harley, his John Deere tractor, or working on a piece of machinery in his shop, always with the music cranked up high and no phone. If his God allows, Michael E. Blinn is "still smokin’."

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday (June 29), at the funeral home with Rev. Ruth Waite officiating. Burial will be in Star City West Cemetery, Star City.

Memorial donations may be given to the charity of the donor's choice.