Lillian Kay "Lily" Blankenbaker

Lillian ‘Lily’ Blankenbaker, 19, of Springport, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 3, 2025, in her home surrounded by family who loved her, following a long battle with cancer. She was born on December 1, 2005, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. A daughter of Brenda Smith and Dennis Blankenbaker. Shortly after, she moved to Fort Worth, TX, with her mother and brother, Sage Dalton, and spent her next 10 years there. Before her health issues, she loved being outdoors, swimming, animals, entomology, and being with people that she loved. Very much an extrovert, she loved just about everyone she met. Lily returned with her mother and brother to the family farm in Indiana at the age of 10. She attended Blue River Elementary and quickly got involved in making friends, joining the choir, and cheerleading. She was an above-average student and always favored by her teachers. She loved spending time with her grandparents, Pam and Charles Stant, and they were thrilled to have her close. Her health issues started the following year. Type 1 diabetes at 11 and cancer at 13. Her life after this became more and more consumed with healthcare, but she still managed to have joy and thrive in multiple areas. Her friendships and family relationships were very important to her, and she cared for them deeply. Lily loved tending and playing with animals. Spending time with family, chickens, and pets…4 dogs, 3 cats, and a bunny named Casey. Baking was a huge passion for her. She had quite the refined palate and would often come up with the most delicious cupcakes, cakes, and breads completely from scratch. She loved baking for others. The last few years of her life had gotten limited with increasing medical complications. But she flourished in the areas she was able to manage within the confines of her health issues. Lily grew immensely as an artist, specifically in digital art and animation. She was so meticulous about quality while being self-taught. She reached a point of artistic expression where she could easily and concisely create an image that would express a deep, emotional concept that she was working through. The next art project she wanted to do was to draw and animate the different phases of sickness and healing that she had been through, hoping it would be helpful to comfort others going through similar challenges. Lily was born with, and never lost, an absolutely delightful, loving spirit. One of her proudest achievements in her last several years was not turning dark. She endured so many hardships and physical challenges. Half of her young life was spent with major medical issues and management. But she remained loving. She remained kind. She chose, again and again, to not let herself become bitter and dark. She was SO proud of that. She put a lot of work into her mental and emotional wellness. Her insights and maturity far surpassed many who are 3 times her age. Lily was an absolute delight who will be greatly missed by so many. She is survived by her mother, Brenda Smith; her brother, Sage Dalton; her grandfather, Charles Stant; and many other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Pam Stant, and many other extended family members. The family is having a private ceremony. Memorial contributions in Lily’s memory may be offered to the Sproles Family Children’s Fund, a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt fund that supports families of children with acute illness. Click Here to donate. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Lillian Kay Blankenbaker.

Tributes

Lillian Kay "Lily" Blankenbaker

December 1, 2005 - July 3, 2025