Homer Alaska - Obituaries

Christine Elisabeth Blanco (born Schonian), 67, of Shelbyville, Mich., passed away at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., Oct. 31, 2011, after struggling with both leukemia and pancreatic cancer.

Christine and her husband, Jose R. Blanco, spent the summer of 2010 in Homer. Christine worked as a tour guide for the Kilcher Homestead Living Museum; Jose worked for the Homer News.

Christine is survived by her husband, Jose; three sons, Sebastian Quinn, Lucas Roman and Christopher Julian; daughter-in-law, Bashak Tarkan Blanco; brother, Ulrich Schonian; and two nieces, Sarah and Katja.

Memorial services were Nov. 5 at the United Church of Wayland in Wayland, Mich.

In lieu of flowers, it was Christine's wish that friends consider a donation to the United Church of Wayland (411 E. Superior St, Wayland, MI 49348); Wings of Hope Hospice in Allegan (530 Lin St., Allegan, MI 49010) or the Healing Racism Institute (GRCC, c/o Sonya Hughes, 111 Pearl NW St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503).

Jose can be reached at 2870 Fifth St., Shelbyville, MI, 49344 or by email at joserblanco@gmail.com.