William Reeves Van Blarcom

William Reeves Van Blarcom, 84, of Columbia Crossroads, PA, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at the Bradford County Manor of natural causes. William was born in Summit, New Jersey on January 14, 1924 to the late Charles M. and Alice (Stone) Van Blarcom. William graduated from Flemington High School (Flemington, NJ) in 1942, and joined the US Navy in 1943. He served 18 months on the mine sweeper, USS Design in the South Pacific during WWII. Following his discharge from the Navy, William married Mildred L. Griffith February 12, 1946. They recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. William pursued his desire to dairy farm in 1949 when he purchased a 72 acre farm in Readington, NJ from his father. In 1958 he moved his family to the former Hosea Wolfe farm in Columbia Crossroads, PA. He farmed the farm and worked hard to create an opportunity for the next generation to continue farming. William was an avid deer hunter and spent many hours playing cards with his hunting buddies at the Jersey Lodge Hunting Camp in Shunk, PA. William belonged to the Columbia Crossroads Methodist Church, the American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #8675, both in Troy, PA, He also served as the Columbia Township Supervisor. William is survived by wife Mildred, his four children: Barbara (John) and daughter Sue Ann Barrett; James (Darlene) Van Blarcom and daughters; Amy (Scott) Lackey, Amanda and son Richard Van Blarcom, Robert (Donna) Van Blarcom, daughters; Shelly, Melissa, Elizabeth, and son Jonathan Van Blarcom, Debbie (Terry) Lutz and son Willis, and two great grandchildren; Anna Katherine and Scott Reeves Lackey. Bill is also survived by his sister-in-laws: Dorothy Willever of Lady Lakes, FL and Betty Griffith of Chiefland, FL, nieces Vivian and Joan Van Blarcom. William was predeceased by son Richard W. Van Blarcom who died serving his country in Viet Nam in 1968 and grandson Jesse Lutz in 1992, brother Charles and wife Bessie Van Blarcom. Family and friends are welcome to gather from 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday, February 22, 2008 and again from 10:00-11:00 AM on Saturday morning, February 23rd at the Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral Home Inc., 110 West Main Street, Troy, PA. The funeral service to honor William's life will be held after the visitation at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 23rd at the funeral home with Rev. David B. Morris of the Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) of Canton, PA, officiating. Military rites will be given by the Troy Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will be in Columbia Valley Cemetery. Contributions may be made in William's memory to VFW and American Legion Posts of Troy, 1 Veterans Drive, Troy, PA 16947, or to Columbia Crossroads Methodist Church, Columbia Crossroads, PA 16914 or to the Bradford County Manor Activity Fund, RR 3 Box 322,Troy, PA 16947.