Dr. James R. Bloom, Sr., 93, died Wednesday, May 10, at The Oaks in Pleasant Gap. Born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, in 1924, Dr. Bloom was the President of his senior class at Clearfield High School. He joined the Army in 1942 and served in infantry combat in Europe, for which he received the Purple Heart. He earned a BS degree from Penn State in 1950 and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin in 1952. He taught as a professor of Plant Pathology at Penn State, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1987. A long-time resident of Lemont, Dr. Bloom was an active bowler and contributor to the Boy Scouts and other public service efforts.

Dr. Bloom was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, June Farwell Bloom, in 2010. He is survived by a son, James; three daughters, Heidi Weimer, Gretchen Rebarchak (Paul), and Coralie Taylor (Glenn); four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on May 13th at Heintzelman Funeral Home 1034 Benner Pike, State College. A graveside service with military honors for Mr. Bloom will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at Centre County Memorial Park, 1032 Benner Pike, State College, PA www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorial contributions be sent to the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited.