Herbert Lee Bland, Sr., 1928-1999

  Herbert Lee Bland, Sr., the son and one of eight children of Edward William and Leah Hope (Howard) Bland, was born on November 5, 1928 in Numa, Iowa. Herb attended high school in Numa and in 1945 joined the U. S. Army. On April 17, 1947, Herb and Earlene June Whicker were married in Chariton, IA. Herb was stationed in Leavenworth, Kansas where he worked as a prison guard until 1949. Following the military service, Herb farmed for two years in Missouri, and in 1952 moved to Centerville, IA and began driving an over the road semi truck. Later Herb and Earlene moved to Osceola, IA and in 1979 to Malvern, IA, where Herb continued his truck-driving career. On September 8, 1998, Herb suffered a heart attack forcing him to retire from Viner Trucking of Emerson, IA. During their nearly 52 years of marriage, Herb and Earlene were blessed with nine children, Marylin, Herb Jr., Ross, Charles, Michael, Carole, Tammy, Tim, and Tony.

  Herb died on February 28, 1999 at the Eldora Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Eldora, IA. He had attained the age of 70 years, 3 months, and 23 days. Herb was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Ed, sisters Norma Shaw, Dorothy Miller, Ruth Inman, and brother James Bland.

  Herb is survived by his wife Earlene of Malvern, IA; daughters Marylin Pettis and husband John of Moulton, IA, Carole Heilman and husband Mark of Osceola, IA, Tammy Biggerstaff and husband Brian of Hastings, IA; sons Herb Bland, Jr. and wife Linda of Malvern, Ross Bland of Hastings, IA, Charles Bland and wife Donna of Woodburn, IA, Michael Bland of Newport, AR, Tim Bland and Tony Bland of Malvern; seventeen grandchildren and six great grandchildren; sisters Beulah Beck of Orlando, FL, and Frances Wojcik of St. Petersburg, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution of Richard Inman of Hamilton, Ohio, to The Jerome Journal of the above materials from the Memorial Service for Herbert Lee Bland, Sr. arranged by the Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home in Malvern, Iowa