DIXFIELD – Charles E. Blanche, 73, of 48 North St., died Monday, July 23, 2007, at Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston. He was born May 30, 1934, in Whitneyville, the son of the late Edwin and Hazel (Mallar) Blanche. He had been a resident of the Rumford-Dixfield area since 1961. He graduated from Machias High School, Machias, Class of 1953 and Northeastern Business College, Portland, in 1961. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1954 to 1956. He retired as a store room superintendent from Boise Cascade Paper Co., in 1991, after 30 years. From 1994 to 2003 he was employed at Orino Waste Oil Heaters. Charlie was a member of the Napoleon Ouellette Post No. 24, American Legion; Robert Shand Post No. 1641, VFW; Rumford Falls Aerie No. 1248, F.O.E.; and a life member of Rumford Lodge No. 862, B.P.O.E. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his buddies, Gordon Justard, Ralph Partridge, Don Hopkins and the late Charles Everett and Leon Therriault Jr. He enjoyed camping at Cathedral Pines, Eustis, for the past 39 years. He will be missed by his many friends. He was married in Machias, Aug. 16, 1959, to Lucille (Kilton) Blanche, of Dixfield, who survives him. Other survivors include a sister, Julia Blanche of Westborough, Mass., many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, William Blanche, Horace and Robert Gardner; three sisters, Pauline Grady, Louise Haley and Joanne Blanche. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 26, at Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St., Rumford, with a reception to be held after at Rumford American Legion Post No. 24. Friends are invited to call 10 a.m. Thursday prior to the memorial service at the funeral home. Visitations will be held 10 a.m. Thursday Rumford Maine Lodge No. 862, B.P.O.E. and 10:30 a.m. Thursday the American Legion, VFW, DAV Posts and Auxiliaries. Those who desire, please contribute in his memory to HOPE, 84 Lincoln Ave., Rumford, ME 04276. Online condolences and memories may be shared at meaderfh@gwi.net
CHARLES BLANCHE
