Robert Ellsworth “Doc” Bilger, age 87, who had been a guest at Moran’s Nursing Home in Bellwood for the past five years, died at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 2, 2003, following a lengthy illness.
He was born November 10, 1915 at Barree, Huntingdon County, the son of the late Harvey Ross and Ethel Mae (Carolus) Bilger.
He married the former Helen Louise Mitchell on May 29, 1935 at Frederick, Md., and she preceded him in death on July 17, 2000.
Three sons, Clarance H., Robert M. and an infant who died at birth preceded him in death.
He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Samuel (Peg) Conrad of Warriors Mark and seven grandchildren: Scott Bilger of Pleasant Hills, Ca.; Babbette (Bilger) Combs of Pleasant Hills, Ca.; Brenda (Bilger) Walker of Jacksonville, Fla.; Betsy (Bilger) Sabatos of Pittsburgh; Robert M. Bilger of Hollidaysburg; Samuel J. Conrad Jr. of Warriors Mark; and Jennifer (Conrad) Anderson of Bellefonte. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and two daughters-in-law: Lynn Bilger MacKnight of Wittman, Md., and Arleen Bilger Liddick of Bellwood.
Mr. Bilger graduated from Alexandria High School and later attended Juniata College.
He was a member of the Tyrone Wesley United Methodist Church and a former member of the American Legion, Elks Lodge 212, Tyrone Moose Lodge and the Hookies Fire Company.
“Doc” was a Tyrone Police officer in the 1940s. During this time, he was one of the pioneers in getting servicemen a ride home and was an early booster of the Canteen in Tyrone during World War II.
He served in the Army with Company C/1294 Engineer C Battalion at Camp Stewart, Ga. and was discharged in 1945.
He retired from Westvaco Corp. in 1970 from the Human Resource Department as a job analyst.
“Doc” was an outstanding baseball pitcher in his youth, which led to his involvement with many youth progras in the area in the 1950s through the 1970s when he retired to Florida.
In Tyrone, he was instrumental in getting youth baseball programs started in the 1950s, being a charter officer of the Tyrone Little League, serving as president, vice president, and district representative. He helped organize Tyrone Teener League Baseball and was its first president.
He helped organize the first Pee Wee League in Tyrone and the Pee Wee League Field at 15th Street and Columbia Avenue was named in his honor.
In 1970, he was recognized by the Tyrone Little League Association for his 20 years of unselfish and devoted leadership to Little League Baseball and its related programs in the Tyrone area.
He served as president of the Tyrone Playground Association in the 1950s and 60s and organized the youth parade for the Tyrone Bi-centennial.
He served on the Tyrone YMCA Board of Directors for many years. He enjoyed and was proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
At the request of the deceased, there will be no viewing or visitation. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at the convience of the family. Interment will be at Presbyterian Cemetery, Alexandria, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the Tyrone Little League, c/o Doug Mertiff, 482 Park Avenue, Tyrone, Pa. 16686 or the Tyrone Area YMCA, 1062 Logan Avenue, Tyrone, Pa. 16686.
Arrangements were by the Derman Funeral Home, Tyrone.
