Joan E (Harris) Blanton

Joan Elaine (Harris) Blanton, 65, of Zanesville, loved the Lord and was ready to go to her wondrous home to be reunited with loved ones who had gone before her at 5:02 a.m. Monday, February 21, 2011 at the Genesis Good Samaritan Hospital emergency room. She was born January 16, 1946, in Zanesville, a daughter of the late Raymond Henry and Lena Schroyer Harris. As a young child, she was in her church choir along with her sisters. She volunteered for years in the Zanesville City Schools in the library at the old Pioneer School working alongside her sisters. Joan loved all animals and over the years had contributed to many animals shelters and rescue groups including, Alley Cat Allies, ASPCA, Humane Society of the United States, Muskingum County Animal Shelter, Defenders of Wildlife, Kindness Ranch, NAVS and ROAR. She had donated to the So Labra Native American School in Montana and donated furniture to the Vineyard Furniture Bank in Zanesville. She was an avid Genealogist and had researched some of her ancestry 12 generations and was a member of the Muskingum County, Noble County, Morgan County and Henry Genealogy Societies. Joan liked to donate baked goods for her church's bake and rummage sales and for their vacation bible schools. Joan met her husband to be in 1964 and were inseparable from the beginning, which they were wed in June 1965. She enjoyed taking photos of her family, outdoor photos of landscapes and animals. The stories she had helped, fed and gave love and affection to that were otherwise migrant, never had known. There was a huge place in her heart for each one. She grew up in the Lutheran faith but had for many years attended the South Zanesville United Methodist Church and had great affection for the pastor and all those who she knew there. Surviving is a daughter, Kimberly (Blanton) Patton; a son, Corey Blanton; five grandchildren, Jordan Blanton, Doug Patton, Collin Patton, Desirie and Cotey Blanton; a niece, Joan Butts; a nephew, Jeff Morris; her dearest friend and sister-in-law, Debra (Glen) Blanton; and a close pal, Jerry Imes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 33 wonderful years, James A. Blanton, who died July 7, 1998. No calling hours will be observed. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at Zanesville Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Herb Perry officiating. Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Ave., Zanesville is entrusted with all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Animal Shelter Society, Inc., 1430 Newark Rd., Zanesville, Ohio 43701. To send a note of condolence, a sympathy card or comfort food to the Blanton family: www.bolin-dierkesfuneralhome.com