Blanche Alice Baum, 95, a resident of Christ the King Manor and formerly of Curwensville, died Thursday, June 13, 2013 at the manor.
Born May 18, 1918 in Luthersburg, she was the daughter of Alfred and Minnie Mae (Gearhart) Gearhart.
During World War II, she worked in an Airplane Factory in New York, as a “Rosie the Riveter” and received a special World War II Commendation Victory Medal from the U.S. Government and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
She then worked for the former Maple Avenue Hospital in DuBois in the kitchen as a cook until her retirement.
She first wed Merrill Lynn McCracken, who preceded her in death. She then wed Fredrick Clair “Fred” Baum, who preceded her in death June 3, 1993.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Norman D. McCracken; a daughter, Pamela Mae Dickey; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two great-great-grandchildren; her brothers, Thomas, Frank and Mauuel Gearhart; and sisters, Mae Keagle and Beulah Kurten.
Surviving are five children, Marl Lynn McCracken and his wife, Ann of Albany, GA, William J. “Bill” McCracken and his wife, Fran of Barker, NY, Frances A. Davidson and her husband, Al of Mississippi, Dorothy Mae Collins and her husband, Brad of Brockway and Jeanette Starr and her husband, John of Curwensville.
Also surviving are 19 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; her brothers, Gene Gearhart and his wife, Jennie of Maine and Glenn Gearhart of Reynoldsville; and a sister, Loretta Bliss of Brookville.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Baum will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home Inc., of Curwensville, with Pastor David Nagele officiating. Burial will be in the McClure Cemetery, Curwensville.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Monday and from 10 a.m. until the hour of services Tuesday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com.
The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home Inc. of Curwensville is in charge of the arrangements.