Obituary of Eward O. Lofland

"Edward O. Lofland, 81, of Old Pelham Rd., died peacefully Tuesday, January 2 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital with his family by his side. Born in Holyoke, November 10, 1925, he was the son of the late Eugene and Alice (Gildemeister) Lofland. Ed lived in Belchertown all of his life and was a communicant of St. Francis Church and a member of its Knights of Columbus. He proudly served his country during WWII and the Korean Conflict in the Army and was a long time member of the American Legion Post 239 and a life member of the VFW Post 8248, both in Belchertown. He was also a member of the Belchertown Lions Club, and formerly served on the Conservation Commission and Board of Assessors. Professionally, Mr. Lofland was the former owner of Crystal Springs Dairy Bar and retired from Fort Devens in 1963 as a Chief Warrant Officer. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 60 years, Martha E. (Mabb) Lofland, along with his eight children, Ronald E. of Cody, WY, Timothy E., Michael E., and Patricia E. Fuller all of Belchertown, Matthew E. of Mainville, Ohio, Charlotte Cook of Granby, Katherine Lofland of Ludlow, and Martha E. Lofland, Jr. of Belchertown. He is also survived by two sisters Alice Trompke of Arizona and Jean Hussey of Ware. His 9 precious grandchildren also survive him. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, George and Richard. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 6 at 9:15 a.m. from the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, 10 Maple St., (Rte. 202) followed by a liturgy of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Francis Church. Burial with military honors will follow in South Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. For those wishing to make donations, they may be made in his memory to either the St. Francis Church Building Fund, Park St., Belchertown 01007, or the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Capital Fund, 30 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060"