Ervin Burlingame

On Monday, November 19, 2012 Ervin Burlingame, 79, of Bourne Mills Road, Ulster, PA went home to be with his Lord after a short illness. Ervin was born on April 26, 1933 the only child of Charles and Mabel (Davis) Burlingame. He attended Smithfield School and served in the U.S. Army in Kentucky and Oklahoma during the Korean Conflict. Just before he was called to serve he married Blanche Wells. While stationed in Oklahoma and just before his discharge, their son Jarvis was born. Later they had a daughter Cecelia. Ervin and Blanche bought farm the next to his grandparents in 1964. Ervin was a diligent worker doing his very best with the tools he had. He was a farmer, carpenter, elected State Constable, and worked for the West Burlington Township on the roads along side his friend Phil Jennings. As a State Constable he assisted the Troy Police Department and the Auxiliary. Blanche passed away in 1983. In 1984 he married Blanche (Calkins) Burlingame. She has been by his side for 28 wonderful years. Ervin was a member of the East Troy Baptist Church and served as a Deacon, Trustee, and Campanologist (bell ringer). He also faithfully attended the Independent Baptist Church in Towanda on Sunday evenings. He had extensively studied the Bible and had read through it 95 times. Ervin was a self-taught fiddle player. He and Blanche played for many churches and nursing homes, she playing the organ or piano. Ervin is survived by his wife Blanche C. Burlingame, Son Jarvis (Bonnie) Burlingame, daughter Cecelia Vanderpool, Grandchildren Tasha Vanderpool and Shawn McKusick, granddaughters Siarah and Adalynn McKusick, a sister-in-law Peg McDonough of Wyalusing, dear friends Nathan and Marge Blow and Blanche’s children Greg (Loretta Bruce, Paula (Steve) Updike, Richard Bruce and fiancé Wendy Schulteis, Todd (Tammy) Bruce, grandchildren Nathaniel Updike and fiancé Grace Mood, Andrew Updike, Krystal and Dakotah Bruce, and Dyshon Hughson. Ervin is also survived by brothers-in-law Bill (Mary Jo) Calkins and Bob (Katherine) Calkins, nieces, nephews, and great nephews. Besides his first wife Blanche, Ervin was predeased by an infant daughter, his parents, and his stepmother Ruth W. Burlingame and many sisters and brothers-in-law. Family and friends are welcome to call from 10-11:00 AM on Saturday December 1, 2012 at the Independent Baptist Church of Towanda 109 Cherry Street Towanda, PA. The memorial service to honor Ervin’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on December 1st at the church with his pastors Rev. Garry Zuber and Donald Houser officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of Erin’s family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. Troy, PA. The family thanks the Guthrie Hospice team for the wonderful care and support. Also thank you to our many friends, church families, and neighbors for prayers, gifts, food, visits, wood chores and love shown to us. God Bless you all. Memorial in Ervin’s name may be made to the East Troy Baptist Church, the Independent Baptist Church Towanda, or to Guthrie Hospice Towanda.