George W. Blakeslee, Jr., 79, died March 22, 2008 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born October 8, 1928 at Great Bend, the son of George Sr., and Lena Hiss Blakeslee. He was a graduate of Great Bend High School and later became involved in farming. On May 29, 1955 he married Lynette Fischer at Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church (now Peace Church) at Hudson, Kansas. From 1955 to 1957 he served in the U. S. Army. After that he became a farmer, stockman and oil well pumper. He was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Great Bend. He also served on the North Seward Township Board as well as community leader of South Bend Jolly Workers 4-H Club. Survivors include his wife Lynette of the home; two sons Kent Blakeslee and wife Julie of Ellinwood, and Darrel Blakeslee of Dumas, Texas; a daughter, Karen Blakeslee of Manhattan, and two grandsons; Eric and Kyle Blakeslee of Ellinwood; two brothers; Charles Blakeslee of St. John, and Victor Blakeslee of Stafford; two sisters; Juanita Fischer of Stafford and Helen Boyd of Topeka. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Great Bend with burial to follow at Fairview Park Cemetery, St. John, Kansas with the Rev. Diana Coberly presiding. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 25, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Southwind Hospice, Barton County 4-H, or First Congregational United Church of Christ in care of Bryant Funeral Home.