Blanche R Warden

Blanche R. Warden, 82 of Morriston, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2024, in Springfield, Missouri.

She was born on April 1, 1941, in Galesburg, Illinois, daughter of the late George Douglas Franklin and Ruby Marie Dunbar. Blanche was raised in the Monmouth, Illinois, and Mendota, Illinois, area. She graduated from Mendota High School in 1959. Her favorite pastime growing up was fishing with her daddy, roller skating, and listening to Elvis Presley. 

Blanche moved to Altona, Illinois, where she lived during the 1960’s and 1970’s raising her five children who were the loves of her life. In 1979, Blanche and her younger children moved to Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, where many wonderful memories were made. Blanche was united in marriage to the late Kenneth Warden on July 27, 1983, in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. After she and Kenneth’s wedding they started their venture as a military family with the two younger children. This venture took them to many beautiful places across waters to Germany and here in the United States. In 1992, after Kenneth’s enlistment in the US Army was complete, they returned home and made Morriston Road their forever home. 

She was a member of the Horseshoe Bend United Methodist Church in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. Blanche was a homemaker and house cleaner by occupation and nature. She loved sewing and making sweet goodies. Blanche loved entering items in both sewing and baking in the Fulton County Fair. Her most favorite pastime were her grandchildren and beloved dachshund, Marti. She was invested in being a volunteer caregiver to many throughout the community. She loved her family very deeply and especially enjoyed spending countless hours playing and singing with her great granddaughter, Caroline Jayne. 

Blanche is survived by her children, George Hill and wife Donna, Ruby Collins and husband Mark, Mark Hill and wife Heike, Bryon Hill and Randy Hill and wife Jolene; brother, John Lage; sisters, Barbara Kennedy and husband John, Rose Gordon and husband Tim and Rondha Youngs and husband Roy; sister-in-law, Sheila Delargy; 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Warden; parents; brothers, Lawrence Lage and Glendale Lage and sister, Betty Martz.

Pallbearers include: Mark Collins, Casey Collins, Wade Collins, Lidia Collins, Thorsten Hill and Cordin Elardo

Honorary Pallbearers include: Koby Hill, Kenneth Hill, Konnor Hill, Amanda Hill and Sarina Hill

Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 7, 2024, beginning at 12:00 PM at Doty Family Funeral Service Chapel in Salem, Arkansas, with Bro. George Hill officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow the service at Morriston Cemetery.