Marjorie L. Eshleman

Marjorie Land Eshleman, age 87, 7115 Old Berwick Road, Bloomsburg (Lime Ridge) passed away at 1:30 a.m. Monday, August 4, 2014 at her home after an extended illness and surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Staten Island, NY on June 14, 1927, she was a daughter of the late James N., Sr. and Frances (Hoon) Land. She was a 1946 graduate of Avonworth High School, Pittsburgh. Marge received her bachelor’s degree in horticulture in 1950 from Penn State University. It was while she was a student at Penn State that she met her future husband, Robert J. Eshleman, whom she married on June 24, 1950 and they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in June.

In 1950, she and her husband took over operation of Eshleman’s Nursery & Garden Center at their home, which was established by her husband’s father in 1930. They retired in 2013.

Marge was an active member of many community organizations. While her children were growing up, she was a Girl Scout and 4-H leader. As a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Fort McClure Chapter, she held several key positions, including Regent from 1992 to 1995. One project that Marge was passionate about was the rehabilitation and preservation of the Fort McClure House in Bloomsburg along the Susquehanna River. She was also a member of the former Bloomsburg Soroptimists Club, serving as president from 1985 to 1987.

She was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church, Bloomsburg, where she served as an elder for many years. In her free time; she enjoyed reading, puzzles, knitting/cross stitch, bridge, playing the piano and vacationing with her family at the New Jersey Shore. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Surviving in addition to her husband are two daughters: Amy J. Eshleman, Ph. D. and her companion Gerry, Portland, Ore. And Virginia L., wife of Gary Ent, Lime Ridge; a son, Robert B. Eshleman, and his wife Mabel, Berwick; seven grandchildren: Sky Pajak, Rebecca J. Ent, Heather C. Shores, Kathryn M. Horn, Elizabeth A. Campbell, Chardei L. Eshleman and Colton J. Eshleman; six great-grandchildren: Benjamin Pajak, Lillian Pajak, Ayla Shores, Leo Shores, Anna Campbell and Emily Campbell.

She is also survived by two brothers: Robert E. Land, and his wife Mariellen, Bedford and James N. Land, Jr., Morristown, NJ; a sister in law, Annabelle G. Fetterman, Wilburton #2 and several nieces and nephews.

Marge was preceded in death by an infant son, James and by a daughter, Margaret on October 6, 1976 and a sister, Jane Hudson.

The family would like to thank the Columbia-Montour Home Hospice and the many caregivers for their compassion and dedication to Marge during the last year of her life.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 3 p.m., starting with a DAR memorial service and followed by religious services in charge of her pastor, Rev. David B. Pierce in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc. Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Elan Memorial Park, Lime Ridge.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 1-3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 or to the Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society at the same address.