Obituary

Charles Gordon Bloom, 75, of Kendallville died Monday, May 3, 2010, in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Mr. Bloom was a lifelong resident of DeKalb and Noble Counties. He retired from West Noble Middle School as an Industrial Arts and Science teacher. He was also a farmer.

He was a founding board member of Kid City in Kendallville, and was a founding board member for Science Central in Fort Wayne where he volunteered 1,007 and one-half hours. He also vounteered at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, completing 360 hours, and volunteered for the Salvation Army as a bell ringer. He was a current member of the Board of Directors for Common Grace, and was a member of Trinity Church United Methodist in Kendallville where he was active in missions.

He was a member of the Future Farmers of America where he served as Vice President and Reporter from 1953 to 1955. His son, Greg was also a state FFA officer serving as Treasurer from 1983 to 1984. They are the only father and son combination in Indiana to serve on the state level to this date.

He was known as the "Mayor" of Leighty Road because of keeping the road sides clean, and was the caretaker of the Cree Lake Public Access site. He enjoyed creating wetlands, wildlife preservation areas, and maintaining his tree farm. He also enjoyed fishing for bluegill.

Gordon was born August 26, 1934, in Waterloo to Charles and Florence (Hanson) Bloom. On July 29, 1962,in LaGrange he married Marlene June Brenneman.

Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Gary Helmkamp of Auburn and Sally and David Turner of Crawfordsville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brad and Alisa Bloom of Kendallville and Greg and Laurie Bloom of Wolcottville; eight grandchildren, Kevin Bloom, Kyle Bloom, Ryan Bloom, Erin Bloom, Matt Helmkamp, Nate Helmkamp, Renae Turner, and Lucas Turner.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Retha Ruger; and his wife, Marlene Bloom on March 7, 1985.

Funeral services will be Thursday, May 6, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. in Trinity Church United Methodist, Kendallville, with Rev. G. Scott Pattison officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Honorary casketbearers will be Kyle Bloom, Ryan Bloom, Erin Bloom, Nate Helmkamp, Renae Turner, and Lucas Turner.

Active casketbearers will be Kevin Bloom, Matt Helmkamp, Wes Oswalt, Tom Stafford, Jerry Brenneman, Jeff Brenneman, and Brent Ruger.

Calling is Wednesday, May 5, 2010, from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville, and also one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Preferred memorials are to Common Grace or to the Gordon Bloom Forest Education Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

View a video tribute or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com