Douglas R. "Doug" Bloom, age 81, of West Bend, was called home to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at St. Joseph's Hospital in the town of Polk.
Doug was born on December 15, 1929 in Green Bay, WI to the late Robert and Hattie (nee Froelich) Bloom. He attended Gillet High School where he excelled in athletics and attended Badger Boys State before graduating in 1947. Following high school, Doug attended Beulah Heights Bible College in Georgia for three years before transferring to Central Bible Institute in Springfield, MO where in 1952 he earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies. Doug later attended Northern Michigan University for one year before transferring to Evangel University in Springfield, MO where he earned a B.S. in Theology and Education in 1965.
In 1952, Doug formed the New Life Assembly of God Church in Escanaba MI and served as pastor there until 1956. On March 26, 1955, while serving as pastor, Doug was united in marriage to the love of his life, Shirley Hodge, in Negaunee MI. Two years later, Doug began working in the construction business and was a member of Local Union # 2283 for 53 years. In 1963 Doug and his wife Shirley moved to West Bend to find a better life and less snow.
Doug is survived by his loving wife Shirley of over 56 years; his two sons, Terry L. (Marcia) Bloom of Kenosha and Vance (Ruth) Bloom of Nekoosa; seven grandchildren, Nathan (Valerie) Bloom of Holmen, Bethany Bloom of Madison, Micah Bloom of Kenosha, Jason Bloom of Kenosha, Amy Bloom of San Antonio TX, Scott (Julia) Bloom of El Paso TX, and Julie Bloom of Nashville TN. Doug is further survived by two sisters, Geri Gilley of Bellingham WA and Bev (William) Mahney of Sun City AZ; two brothers-in-law, James (Jean) Hodge of Mt. Morris and Thomas Hodge of Liberty TX; four nieces; one nephew; and many other dear relatives and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Hattie; his father and mother-in-law, Rev. Thomas and Jean Hodge; and his brother-in-law Herald Gilley.
A funeral service in remembrance of Doug will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 3:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home (1315 W. Washington St. West Bend). Rev. William Swanger of Emmaus Bible Church will officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday at the funeral home from 1:00 pm until the time of service. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment will take place on Monday at 10:00 am in Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials to Little Flock Gospel Ministries would be greatly appreciated by the family.