Don Bland

Swanton, MD

Don Allen Bland, 71, of Maryland Highway, Swanton, passed away Friday, March 15, 2013 at Moran Manor Nursing Center, Westernport.

Born September 6, 1941 in Luke, he was the son of the late Roy and Elsie (Slaughter) Bland.

Don was a 1960 graduate of Bruce High School.  He was a United States Army Veteran having served with the military police during the Vietnam War.  He retired from Westvaco Corp. in 2000 out of the Security Department.  He was a life member of the American Legion, a member of Deer Park V.F.W. #10077, a Past District 3 V.F.W. Commander, having served in that position for six years and along the way he picked up a number of V.F.W. awards such as Commander of the Year in 1998, National Aide-de-Camp as well as other awards and titles. Don was also the chairman of the Voice of Democracy contest for 13 years.  As for his local community service, Don was a Charter Member of the Tri-Towns Emergency Medical Squad, and he served on both the Luke and Bloomington Fire Companies for many years.

He leaves behind his wife, Carol (Cunningham) Bland, a son, Captain USAF Don Allen Bland Jr. of Laurel Hill, FL, two daughters, Deborah Jane Bland of Milton, FL, Stephanie Joy Bland of Destin, FL, a brother, LeRoy Bland and wife Edith of Rawlings, a sister, Sally Thompson of Magnolia, DE, a special mother-in-law, Lena Stewart of Keyser, WV, a step son, Gary Smith and wife Cindy of Keyser, WV, a step granddaughter, Tosha Smith and a step grandson, Brandon Smith, and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received at the Boal Funeral Home, Westernport, on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM.  A funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home chapel on Tuesday at 2:00 PM, with Pastor Rita Beeman officiating.

Interment will be in Potomac Memorial Gardens, Keyser, WV, with full military honors accorded at graveside by Deer Park V.F.W. #10077.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the American Humane Society.

---