Deacon Edward Wise Blankenstein, 77, of Orange, Texas, went to meet his Maker on September 27, at M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., on Friday, October 2, 2015 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orange, Texas.  A Wake Service will begin at 6 p.m., presided over by Deacon Steven Obernuefemann.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, in Orange, Texas. Officiating will be Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory, S.V.D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas, along with con-celebrant, Rev. Thomas Phelan, pastor of St. Jude Catholic Church, in Beaumont.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Orange.

Born in Natchez, Mississippi, on October 18, 1937, he was the son of Joseph Percy and Roberta Blankenstein. Eddie graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 1956.  He married his childhood sweetheart, Martha Bernard, in September of 1956.  He retired from Firestone in Orange, Texas, after 34 years of service.  Eddie was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church in June of 1992.  He was passionate about visiting and ministering to the sick.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Roberta Blankenstein; his brother, Rev. Robert Blankenstein and his wife, Kathleen of Iron Mountain, Michigan; brothers-in-law Dr. Jimmy Frank Howell of Houston and Dave Krause of Salado.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Martha Blankenstein; daughter, Donna Scheer and husband, Gary, of Orange, and granddaughters Christine Scheer of Houston and Stephanie Scheer of Dallas; daughter, Tessa Golsch and husband, Dennis, and grandchildren, Dane and Tory, all from Cibolo; daughter Chesney Govella, and husband, Gilbert, and grandchildren, Jessica and Grant, all from Pearland; sister, Roberta Howell, of Houston; and sister, Anne Krause of Salado.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Manuel Hababag, Dr. Marina Konopleva, and Mary Alma Welch, P.A., for their endless care and support during his extended illness.  The love, support and prayers from family, friends and the community were appreciated beyond words.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one of the following organizations, The Monastery of the Infant Jesus, 1501 Lotus Lane, Lufkin, Texas 75904 or St. Francis of Assisi Church Building Fund, 4300 Meeks Drive, Orange, Texas 77632.