Melvin E. Martz

Melvin E. Martz, age 84, 544 Old Berwick Road, Bloomsburg, and a former long time resident of 4 Perry Avenue, died at 1:45 p.m. Sunday, December 11,2011 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danvile, where he was a patient for 2 days. He had been in failing health for three months.

Born in Scott Township, Columbia County on September 8, 1927, he was a son of the late Frank H. and Laura Jean (Creveling) Martz.

Melvin served with the US Army during World War II, serving from January 4, 1946 to July 1, 1947 with Squadron C, 463rd Army Air Forces base unit.

He was employed as a truck driver, working for Shirks, Norwalk and Yellow Freight until retiring in 1992. He then worked part-time for Ralph Dillion's Flowers, Bloomsburg.

Melvin was a member of the Continental Fire Co., No. 1, and the Friendship Fire Co., No. 1, both of Danville; Valley of Bloomsburg Post 273, American Legion; Ft. McClure Post 804, VFW, Bloomsburg; Fraternal Order of Eagles and Columbia Valley Lodge 623, Loyal Order of Moose.

He married the former Dorothy M. Davenport on November 25, 1947 and she preceded him in death on September 2, 1985.  He was also preceded in death by two grandsons: Jack A. Martz and Russell Martz; and by his six brothers: Max K., Harold C., Frank, Donald E., Wayne E., and Dale O. Martz.

Surviving are three sons and their wives: Frank E. Martz, wife Cindy; Melvin E. Martz, Jr., wife Jocile; David W. Martz; five grandchildren: Paul, Justin, Matthew, Stacey, and Steven Martz; two step-grandsons: Dale DeGreen and Brandon Murdock; six siblings: Betty J. Serzinski,  Williamsport; Ruth, wife of Arden F. Robbins, Hazel, wife of Dean A. Robbins, Allen Martz, wife Dorothy, Kenneth Martz, wife Eldora, all Bloomsburg; and Eunice, wife of Jon L. Rider, Millville.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg, with Rev. Allen F. Acor, pastor of the Mooresburg-Hendrickson United Methodist Churches officiating. Interment  in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy. Friends may call on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.

The family will provide flowers. Memorials may be sent to the Columbia County Unit, American Red Cross, 119 E. Seventh St., Bloomsburg PA 17815.