Orva M. Bland Sr. 82, of Iola died Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at Allen County Hospital in Iola.
He was born April 16, 1928, in Topeka, to William M. and Gladys (Richmond) Bland. When he was still a baby the family moved to Le Roy, where he grew up.
He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the 78th Tank Company.
On June 17, 1965, he married Virginia Reed. They made their home in Le Roy several years before moving to Iola. Over the years he worked for Quality Packaging, Walton Foundry and I.M.P. Boats. He was a member of Community Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Joe and Jerry Sr. and his wife, Zolene, Iola; three brothers and two sisters including his brother, Carroll, Iola; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
An infant son, Jimmy Dale, a son, Orva M. “Sonny” Jr., two grandsons, Jerry Bland Jr. and Levi Jeriah Bland, a great-grandson, Peyton Harris, and two brothers, Leslie and William, died earlier.
Family and friends will meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel to leave for graveside services at 2:00 p.m. in the Gas City Cemetery. The Rev. Marion Sponseller will officiate.
Memorials to the Orva Bland Sr. memorial fund may be left at the funeral home. Online condolences for the family may be left at iolafuneral.com.
Orva Bland Sr.
