Sunday's Obituary - Finishing Maurice

Hazleton Standard Speaker, 22MAY1971, pg2

Last Sunday I transcribed Maurice Blum's obituary.  It was rather long (and impressive) so I didn't post the Death and Funeral notices with it.  Tonight I'll finish that up and share them both.

"BLUM - At Hazleton, Thursday, May 20th, Dr. Maurice L. Blum, beloved husband of Mrs. Hazel (Hill) Blum, reposing at the Fierro Funeral Home.  Viewing from 7 to 9 Saturday evening.  Services at the Beth Israel Temple at 10:30 Sunday morning with Rabbi Abraham Ruderman officiating.  Interment in the Beth Israel Temple Cemetery.  Arrangements by Fierro Funeral Service."

Hazleton Standard Speaker, 24MAY1971, pg28

"Dr. Maurice L. Blum, 701 W. Diamond Ave., who died Thursday at the Hazleton State General Hospital, was buried Sunday from the Fierro Funeral Home.  Rabbi Abraham Ruderman, spiritual leader of the Temple Beth Israel, conducted services at the temple.  Interment was in the Beth Israel Cemetery.

Military honors were accorded by members of Hazleton American Legion Post 76.  Flagbearers were Patrick McDwyer and V.J. McGeehan.  Max Pancheri Jr. was the bugler.

Members of the firing squad, under the command of Harry Kenvin, were Paul Evancho, Dennis Boyle, Donald Hill, Edward McGeehan, Thomas Kennedy, and post commander, Raymond Marusak.

Active pallbearers, all members of the Hazleton Lions, were past presidents Peter Forliano, Angelo Sist, Carl Ambrosia, and Edward Scarp, President David Schwartz; and Louis J. Fierro, third vice president."

As I transcribed the funeral notice a thought crossed my mind...Boyle is a family name for my tree.  I wonder if this Dennis that served as a member of the firing squad for Maurice's funeral was related to me.  Boyle is certainly a common name, but I'm 1/2 Irish...they're pretty much all common names.

Then there was the mention in the firing squad of Donald Hill.  Again, another common name, but Maurice's wife was a Hill.  Her brother's name was Harry according to Hazel's obituary (that'll be next week), but thought that perhaps this was a nephew or a cousin.  As far as nephews go that would have the Hill surname...none.  As far as I can tell, Hazel's brother had 2 daughters, Doris and Marian.

Either way the thought of a Hill family member taking part in remembering Maurice makes me smile.  The thought of a distant cousin of my own taking part is beautiful indeed.  Even if I can't verify who they are right now the thought makes my heart light.

Tombstone Tuesday - Maurice Leib Blum

Civilian tombstone - Beth Israel Cemetery

I've been sharing about Maurice Blum recently.  As I try to discover more about the lady I grew up calling "Nana" I need to find out more about the people in her life and Maurice was her husband.  Maurice was born on April 10, 1895 in Warsaw, Poland.  He came to America around 1911.  Married Hazel Hill in the early 1940s and died on May 20, 1971 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.  As you can read from my recent posts, Maurice did an awful lot in his life.  He really impresses the heck out of me and I wish I had known him.

Maurice was a veteran of World War I so he has a military stone with his regular tombstone.  I love that.  It not only lets you know someone was a vet, but tells you a little about their service.  Particularly good since getting military records can be a pain in the butt...especially since so many have been destroyed.  At least you might be able to find out more about the person's unit if you can't get their file.  This information can also help you get the right file if your veteran has a fairly common name.

Maurice's Military Marker

"Maurice L Blum
Pennsylvania
PVT Co C 30 Infantry
World War I
April 10, 1895    May 20, 1971"

I haven't had much luck finding information on this unit...for WWII, sure...not so much for WWI, but it'll be something that I check out for sure.  I'm a veteran and as silly as it sounds, I don't know the best places to look for this information.

Where do you look for unit histories?