North Vermillion Junior Senior High School Football Coach Ben Blank Died From Cancer, Leaving Wife and Kids Shattered!
October 24, 2026
This article was last updated by Aditi Rai on October 24, 2026
A beloved teacher and coach, Ben Blank, passed away fighting cancer in October 2026.
Blank was reportedly fighting Stage 4 melanoma; however, he lost his battle with cancer.
Ben Blank is survived by his wife of 26 years, Hilary Gibson-Blank, and their two children, Atticus and Jorja. Likewise, he also leaves behind his brother, Luke, Calvain, and Nate.
Hilary and Ben Blank tied the knot on June 5, 1999. They had been married for 26 years until Ben took his last breath.
Their son, Atticus, played football in high school at North Vermillion as a defensive lineman and later as an offensive lineman.
He was on the varsity roster starting in 2019, with highlights including a 62-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 2026 game against Parke Heritage and a fumble recovery in a 2026 overtime win over North Central.
Following his demise, his son, Atticus, turned on the stadium lights as a tribute to his legacy at North Vermillion.
Blank was a key figure at Montgomery County R-II High School in Missouri, where he served as the Defensive Coordinator and later Head Coach of the Wildcats football team.
In 2005, he led the team to the Missouri State Championship game as a head coach.
Beyond the field, he built strong bonds with players, staff, and the community. Even years later, he stayed in touch, checking on former players and planning a 20-year reunion for the 2005 team.
He took special pride in the Dean Eoff football award, an event honoring one of his former players, showing his commitment to his students’ lives beyond sports.
After leaving Missouri, Ben continued his coaching career at North Vermillion Junior Senior High School in Indiana.
There, became a beloved member of the Falcon family, coaching multiple sports, including varsity football, volleyball, basketball, and track and field. Most recently, he served as the head boys’ track coach.
Ben’s impact went beyond North Vermillion. Terre Haute North Boys Basketball, where Ben was a 1993 alumnus, remembered him as a proud supporter.
Martin Brown, a colleague at North Vermillion, shared heartfelt words about Ben’s role as a coach and family member.
He described his influence on several students, including his own children, writing:
He had a tremendous impact on countless students, including my own children
Martin Brown
Montgomery County R-II High School penned a lengthy tribute post on his behalf, which reads:
we are saddened to hear of the passing of former Wildcat assistant coach and Head Coach Ben Blank this past week.
To Coach Blanks family and friends we send our deepest condolences and are so thankful for the time and memories made at MCR2!
Rest Easy Coach!
So far, details surrounding his funeral and memorial service haven’t been published by his family.
During this difficult time, we pray for the strength of Ben’s wife, kids, friends, and extended family.
Rest Easy, Coach Ben Blank!
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Aditi is an avid music lover whose interest's goes beyond the realm of music, with passion in digital marketing. A Gen Z who loves her personal space and is keen to exploring new things. An optimist who seeks silver lining in every circumstances life throws at her.
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