Larry R. Bland

Larry R. Bland, 68, of Holbrook (Jackson Twp.), Pa. died at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2014 in Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Glen Dale, W.Va. He was born June 8, 1946 in New Martinsville, W.Va. a son of the late Richard (John) Elwood and Edna Mae Burton Bland and had resided in Richhill Twp. (Sugar Grove) for several years prior to moving to Jackson Twp. In 1997. Mr. Bland was a 1965 graduate of West Greene High School, and a former member of the Wind Ridge Sportsmans Club and the Mounds City Sportsmans Club. He was a veteran of the Viet Nam War where he served with the U.S. Army as an E-5 with Co C, 555 Engineer Battalion and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the M-16 rifle expert badge. Mr. Bland was an avid hunter, enjoyed raising and showing English Coonhounds, fishing, raised poultry and sold eggs, an auto mechanic and the love of his life was his family and grandchildren and his pet Jack Russell Terriers Taz and Tina, and was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and West Virginia Mountaineers. He was formerly employed by Powhaten #4 coal mine, a surveyor with Erie Construction and retired in 2007 from the Pa. Department of Environmental Resources (Ryerson Station State Park) as a maintenance engineer with 17years service. On November 22, 1969 he married Marsha Jean Kafton who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Deedra, wife of Dr. Troy Balgo of St. Clairsville, Ohio and Denise Bland-Piontek, wife of Joseph Piontek of Boston, Mass.; six grandchildren, Victoria, Sydney, Brock, Cade and Kira Balgo, Lyrra Marie Piontek; a step-sister, Patricia, wife of Henry White of Masontown, W.Va.; several nieces and nephews. Deceased in addition to his parents are two sisters, Linda M. Smith and Erma Pfender; his step-mother, Mary Tilton Tedrow Bland; a step-brother, Glenn F. Tedrow Friends will be received from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the time of services, Saturday, December 13, 2014 in the Rush Funeral Home, Inc. Rogersville, Pa. with Pastor Ben Williamson officiating. Interment will follow in Bethany Cemetery, Jackson Twp. Graveside military rites will be accorded by representatives of the U.S. Army and the Waynesburg American Legion Post 330.