Gary A. Blint, 78, of rural West Point, Iowa, passed away at 9:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at his home in West Point.
He was born on Dec. 27, 1945, the son of Glenn and Dorothy Pickle Blint. He was the fourth of thirteen children in the family, the first of them to be born in a hospital at Sacred Heart in Fort Madison. On August 22, 1970, he married Victoria J. “Vicki” Menke at St. James the Less Catholic Church in St. Paul.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-four years: Vicki; daughter: Tammi Blint of West Point; two sons: Dustin (Terra) Blint of Bettendorf, Roland (Tisha) Blint of West Point; grandson: Tyler Brown; six granddaughters: Emmersyn, Zoey and Peyton Blint, Elliott, Hailey and Harper Blint; step-grandson: Ryan Brown; three brothers: Roger Blint, Sam (Barb) Blint, Ike (Peggy) Blint; three sisters: Jennie Morris, Jane Blint, Janette (Todd) Wolfe; sisters-in-law: Janet Blint, Joyce Blint, Kathy Jay. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by son-in-law: Harold Brown; five brothers: Harvey, Richard, Denny, Greg and Steven Blint; sister: Judy Chapman; two brothers-in-law: Cliff Chapman, Richard Menke; three sisters-in-law: Glenda Blint, Rena Blint, Judy Menke; nephew: Eric Blint and niece Cindy Shelnutt.
Gary attended Denmark Academy and graduated from Fort Madison High School. Following high school, he served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967, in Germany, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He retired after forty-two and a half years of working as a mechanic at E.I DuPont. He also farmed all of his life and had much satisfaction driving and tinkering on his tractors. Gary was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point. He loved the outdoors, gardening, playing cards (favorites: Euchre and Rook) and being a carpenter. He was a jack of all trades. Most of all, Gary enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A visitation will be held from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, with Father Dan Dorau officiating.
Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in West Point with military rites by the West Point American Legion.
A memorial has been established in his memory for West Point Fire and Rescue or St. Mary’s Catholic Church.