FORT RILEY - Blake Ross Showalter, 7, died Oct. 17, 2006, at Fort Riley.

He was born Dec. 16, 1998, in McPherson, the son of Matthew Russell Showalter and Angela Marie McFarland. He was a first-grade student at Jefferson Elementary School, Fort Riley, and had attended Head Start and Union Valley School, both in Hutchinson. He was a resident of Fort Riley since May, formerly of Hutchinson.

Survivors include: his father, Matthew R., Hutchinson; his mother and stepfather, Angela M. and Sean Andersen, Fort Riley; three brothers, Bryce and Blayze, Fort Riley, and Brandon, Hutchinson; a sister, Brandy Showalter, Hutchinson; grandparents, Stephen and Peggy Showalter, Inman, Carlene Showalter, Hutchinson, Kathy and Howard Damme, Hutchinson, Gary Andersen, Norfolk, Neb., and Sandy Baumert, Russellville, Ark.; great-grandparents, Russell and Blanche Showalter, South Hutchinson, Mary Catherine Damme, South Hutchinson, Harry Hagen, Chetek, Wis.; Ralph and Frieda Holaday, Elwood; and Irene Andersen, Pilger, Neb.; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with Pastor David P. Rutler presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the mortuary, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be sent to the Blake Showalter Book Fund at Union Valley School, Hutchinson, Jefferson Elementary School, Fort Riley, or the Shriner's Hospital for Children, St. Louis, all in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be sent to www.elliottmortuary.com.