David  Blank

Obituary of David Joseph Blank

David J. Blank, 78, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on September 14, 2020. David was born in Cincinnati, OH on August 11, 1942. He married his wife of 56 years, Carol Ann Hartweck on August 8, 1964. David is survived by Carol, his sister, Sr. Mary Austin Blank OSB., and his children, Mary Blank (Ken), Beverly Blank, Carl Blank (Marcie) and Barb Schollmeyer (Jim). He is also survived by 8 grandchildren Beatrice, April (Javier), Carolann (Carlos), Jalyn (Tyler), Justin, Erica, Courtney and Collin and 7 great grandchildren, Ariza, Cherish, Jeremy, Izayah, JayR, Ezekyelê­ž and Wyatt. David was the most loving husband, great brother, wonderful father, good friend and a deeply devout Catholic. David and Carol met while performing in the musical play Tom Sawyer, in Jasper, Indiana. They were dance partners. Shortly after getting married, they moved to West Virginia where their first three children Mary, Beverly and Carl were born. Their fourth child, Barbara was born in Lexington, KY. They then lived in Elizabethtown and Cecilia, KY where David built homes and sold building supplies for Norandex in Louisville, KY. One of David"s favorite pastimes was coaching. He coached Carl"s baseball team for many years. His famous phrase "walk it off" was born to his players, as they were injured during a game. Years later he laughed as he heard his own children saying the same to their kids and nieces and nephews. David and Carol moved to Arizona in October, 1983. David"s mom had recently passed away, so they moved the family West to be near his dad. Prior to 9/11 David was one of the heads of security at Sky Harbor. He loved the job because he had the chance to manage a great group people and meet lots of different folks. David always had a joke and entertained everyone going through the security lines. With the change in security after 9/11 David decided to be a special needs school bus driver. Everyone who knew him was familiar with his woody woodpecker and jiminy cricket impressions, and he could "bark" so well, the kids would look for a dog. The children loved being on Mr. Dave"s bus. Even after he suffered his loss of vision, he continued to be on the bus as an aide to make the kids laugh. He was also the best Santa Claus for the school district for many years. David was active at Queen of Peace parish in Mesa, AZ for many years. He performed and sang in the parish plays, and when he wasn"t performing he was most often the emcee. David and Carol remained very active in the Arizona Peace Center, where he emceed the conferences in Arizona until his sight prevented him from continuing. David has been blessed with good friends. He was best of friends with his elementary and high school classmates, Fr. Tom Denneman, Frank and Madelyn DeRose and Diana Aseere as well as the friendships forged throughout the years with the prayer group from St. Anne"s, the Board members of the Arizona Peace Center and many more. David loved his family most of all. As the grandkids came along, they all became very familiar with his impressions and he could get that crying baby to stop at the sound of that bark. He enjoyed attending every event possible for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Holidays have always been big and loud and David was usually right in the center of getting all the little ones going. David was so dearly loved and will be deeply missed. I am sure he touched your life in some way and the family is grateful for your love and support. If you would like to offer condolences, a visitation will be held at Falconer Funeral Home, in Gilbert, AZ on Monday, September 21, 2020 from 6 to 8 pm with a Rosary service at 7 pm. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church, in Gilbert, AZ, on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 10:00 am. A reception will immediately follow at McQueen Park Activity Center at 510 North Horne Street, Gilbert, AZ.
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Tuesday
22
September

Service

10:00 am
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
St. Anne Catholic Church
440 E. Elliott Road
GILBERT, Arizona, United States
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