Francis A. Bloom, 63, of Houtzdale died Sunday, June 9, 2013 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh. Born Sept. 10, 1949 in Clearfield, he was the son of Ellis and Gladys Moore Bloom.
He was employed as a mathematics teacher at the Tyrone Area High School for 39 years. He also served as head of the mathematics department until his retirement. He was a retired major in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Mr. Bloom was a member of the New Hope Christian Fellowship Church of Houtzdale. He was also involved with the Family Motor Coach Association, the National Education Association, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics.
He was instrumental in the creation of the Rowdies Soccer Association and was a Civil War enthusiast.
On Dec. 21, 1968 in the Primitive Methodist Church of Houtzdale, he married Paulette Ruth Irwin, who survives at home.
He’s survived by a son, Jamie Francis Bloom and his wife, Noelle of Montgomery and two grandchildren, Morgan Ruth-Anna Bloom and Carson Jamie Bloom.
Mr. Bloom’s survived by four siblings, James Bloom and his wife, Linda of El Paso, TX, John Bloom and his wife, Annette of Spring Mills, Rodger Bloom and his wife, Wendy of Morrisdale and Sandy Rebo and her domestic partner, Doc McDonald of Osceola Mills; his step-father, David Spicer of Philipsburg; and his aunt, Marie Bloom of France.
He’s also survived by his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Ralph and Autumn Haines of Houtzdale, Arthur and Nannette Anderson of Delmont and Melvin Archer of Brisbin and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Bloom; a nephew, Tony Rebo; an uncle, William Bloom; his mother- and father-in-law, Edward T. and Ruth M. Irwin; and a sister-in-law, Carol Archer.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Birger A. Freeberg Funeral Home Inc. of Houtzdale, with the Rev. Dennis Frantz officiating. Burial will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Brisbin, with graveside military honors conducted by the Houtzdale American Legion Honor Guard and the playing of the Taps by Brittany Lewis.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. until the hour of services Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mathematics Department of the Tyrone Area High School, 701 Clay Ave., Tyrone, PA 16686.