Dr. LaVerne Wayne Blank of Davenport, Florida passed away peacefully at his home on October 7th, 2014, surrounded by all of his children. He was 88 years old.



LaVerne was born on June 19, 1926 to Lloyd and Nellie Blank of Niles, Michigan.  He is survived by his sister Shirley L. Elrod of Davenport, Florida and his brother Dr. William L. Blank of Phoenix, Arizona. His siblings Lloyd Blank, Marguerite Coble, Beverly Blank and his wife, Merrialice Joyce Blank preceded him in death.



Dr. Blank is survived by his daughters Cherilyn Joyce Watterson of Greenville, South Carolina, Diane Carole Creekmur of Greendale, Wisconsin and his son David Wayne Blank of Niles, Michigan. He is also survived by 9 grand-children and 13 great grand-children.



LaVerne graduated from high school in Niles, Michigan in 1944 and then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a Corporal during WWII and was stationed in the South Pacific until the war ended.



On August 29th, 1946 he was united in marriage to Merrialice Joyce Kuhl in Plymouth, Indiana. They were married for 66 years.



Following the war, LaVerne studied Podiatry at the Chicago School of Podiatric Medicine. He later opened up a practice in Niles, Michigan where he served as a Podiatric Physician and Surgeon until his retirement in 1989.



As a Podiatrist, he was well respected in his community and one of the pioneers in his field for establishing surgical privileges for the profession.  He also served on local hospital boards and was an Alderman in the city of Niles. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and an Elder for many years.



A memorial service for Dr. Blank will be held at the Polo Park Community Club House, located at the golf course on Saturday, October 11th at 4 pm.  The service will be officiated by his grandson the Reverend Michael Kuckel and his friend the Reverend John Scott.



Inurnment will be at a later date at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, Michigan.



In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation at 2525 Drane Field Road, Suite #4, Lakeland, Florida 33811.



Dr. Blank is affectionately known as Doc by those who knew him. He will be remembered for the love he had for his family and friends, his dedication to his profession and his deep religious faith. May God bless his memory and give strength to those that mourn his passing.