Cleon Blanton, 63 passed away Monday January 30, 2012 at his home in Princeton.

He was born January 22, 1949 in Princeton to Charles and Hazel (Bishop) Blanton, who preceded him in death.

He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Era. He retired from the former Patoka Township Fire Department in 1998 serving as Chief his last four years. He had lived in Princeton all of life. 

He was baptized in the Wheeling United Methodist Church. He loved horses, fast cars, building cars, and especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed showing his cars at area cruise-ins and was very talented and excelled at anything he did. 

He is survived by his wife Marsha Blanton of Princeton; son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Kelly Decker of Burleson TX; daughter, Carie Wilkerson of Princeton; 2 sisters, Doris Abbott of Sullivan and Charlene Krieg of Oakland City; 7 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and a special friend, David Day of Princeton. 

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Thursday February 2, 2012 at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton, with Rev. Fred Brittain officiating. Burial will be at a later date.

Visitation will be from 3 until 7 p.m. Thursday at the Colvin Funeral Home. V.F.W. Post 1147 will provide military rites at the funeral home.