Thomas Elwood Blanchard

Thomas E. Blanchard, 91, of Grand Island, NE died on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island with Reverend Adam Snoberger officiating. Burial will be in the Cotesfield Cemetery in Cotesfield, NE at 2 P.M. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5 to 7 P.M. at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated to Trinity Lutheran Church. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com. 

Tom was born on August 3, 1933 at Cotesfield, NE to Thomas “Elwood” and Rose (Donscheski) Blanchard. He graduated from Scotia High School with the class of 1952. 

He married Eileen Johnson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island on September 13, 1960. The couple then resided in Grand Island where Tom worked for Frontier Airlines for many years before working for Continental Airlines in Omaha. After his “retirement” he worked in maintenance for Dynasty. Tom could fix just about anything and enjoyed getting things back into working order. He also enjoyed wood working and would build a variety of things. 

Tom is survived by his wife, Eileen Blanchard; daughters: Cheryl (Scott) Massman of Scotia and Teresa (Ben) Faltys of Raymond; son, Troy (Erika) of Troy, OH; grandchildren: Ryan (Kylie) Massman, Riley Massman, Ethan and Trenton Blanchard, Beckett and Caden Faltys; great grandchild, Crosby Massman; as well as many nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Peggy Hughes, Velma Crist, and Ellen Zabloudil; infant sister, Daphne; and many other loved ones.