Rolland G. Raber

Rolland G. Raber, age 71, of 1159 Lightstreet Rd., Bloomsburg, died unexpectedly of a heart attack in the emergency room of the Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital at 11:34 a. m. Friday, November 16, 2018.

Born in Berwick on April 5, 1947, he was the son of Clifford  R. and Laura A. (Nevel) Raber. He resided in Bloomsburg for many years. After graduating from Berwick Area High School in 1966, he was drafted into the U. S. Army.

Rolland served his country as a starlight-sniper on the DMZ from 1967 to 1968 as a member of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 9th Infantry of the 2nd Infantry Division where he was exposed to Agent Orange. He was honorably discharged on September 20, 1968. He received the Armed Forces  Expeditionary medal, Korean Defense medal, Good Conduct medal, UN Service medal, and the Imjin River Scout Patch for over 29 missions in the DMZ. He received a Quilt of Valor from the Quilt of Valor Foundation on April 8, 2018. He was a disabled American Veteran as a result of his Agent Orange exposure

He was last employed by Columbia Industries as a welder, working there for 25 years until, becoming too ill to work.

Rolland was a a life member of Berwick V.F.W. Post 821 and a member of the Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society. He spent many hours researching  and documenting his ancestors. An avid motorcyclist, he also enjoyed working with stained glass. His hobby was collecting coins.

Surviving are his loving wife,  Nancy L. (Duke) Raber, with whom he celebrated his 42nd wedding anniversary on February 14, 2018; a sister, Rebecca M. Andrews, Berwick; a brother, Curtis C. Raber, and his wife Georgene, Berwick; and six nephews and nieces and their children.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday at 10 a. m. in Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ,  260 E. Seventh St., Bloomsburg, with Rev. Steven C. Hummel, pastor of the Church and the Rev. Stephen D. Englehardt, former pastor of the Church,  officiating. Interment will follow in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy, where military honors will be performed by Berwick Post 821, VFW.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg.