Dr.John E. Blank

John Blank, MD
John Edward Blank, 92, of Hermitage, passed away Saturday at St. Paul's Greenville. John
was born on March 27, 1924 to Ruth and Howard Blank in Scalp Level, PA. At the age of 15 he
became a pilot and continued flying this till he was 59. In 1942 he graduated from Johnstown
High School (PA). Afterward he joined the US Army Air Corps to become the youngest US pilot
(at the age of 19) to be commissioned in WWII. He participated in North Africa and in all of the
major Allied invasions of Europe. On June 5th, 1944 John was one of the first pilots to begin
flying paratroopers over the Nazi held coastline of Normandy. Flying at 300 feet his plane was
impacted by over 1500 bullets, one missing his foot by only an inch or two. Afterward, on
February 9, 1946, he married Gloria Marie Fisher of Johnstown. In 1955, he graduated from the
Univ. of Pittsburgh as a Medical Doctor. In his final year at Pitt he had to work in the steel mills
to support his family. Later on, in 1963, he completed a residency in Psychiatric Medicine and
moved to the Shenango Valley. Then, for the next 35 years, he served the mental health needs of
the Mercer and Crawford County areas as Mercer County's only Psychiatrist. This past February
John and his wife Gloria celebrated their 70' wedding anniversary together.
John is survived by his wife; by his daughters Christine ONeil and Sandra Lafontaine; and by
his sons Bruce Blank, Brian Blank and David Blank. He is also survived by his granddaughters
Natalie Blank, Rebekah Blank, AriellaBlank and Emma Krenzin-Blank; by his grandsons
Christopher Lezama, Trevor Blank, Jonerik Blank, Donald Blank and Ean Krenzin-Blank; and
by his great granddaughter Mollie Evans.
His preceded in death by his sons Randall Blank and Donald Blank. His son "Don" is still
remembered as a local legend and for being an all-American in water skiing.

BLANK
John E., 92 of Hermitage
Calling hours: 3:30-5:30 PM Wednesday (9-26-16) at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 263
E State St. Sharon, PA.
Services: 5:30-6:30 PM Wednesday (9-26-16) also at the Covenant Presbyterian Church