Bart D. Blum

Bart D. Blum, 83, of rural Decatur, Indiana, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024, at his residence. He was born August 12, 1940, in Clare County, Michigan the son of Edward E. and Mildred H. (Porath) Blum.  He grew up in Clare County and graduated from Gladwin Michigan High School in 1958.  Upon graduation, he moved to Indiana, where he hauled milk for his brother-in-law, Erwin Bultemeier.  He retired from BF Goodrich Tire Company with 40 years of service in 2005.  He was a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble and served as a deacon, trustee and elder. He was also a lifetime member of the NRA.

He and his wife of 62 years, Janice K. (Hitzeman) Blum were married September 10, 1961, she survives.

Other survivors include two sisters, Theresa Hawkins of Martinsville, Indiana and Emily Fogel of Columbus, Ohio; sister-in-law, Nancy Blum, of Windsor, California; daughter, Kimary K. (Gary) Fravel of Decatur, Indiana; son, Eric (Tammy) Blum of Fort Wayne, Indiana; daughter, Kelly (Brian) Todd of Decatur, Indiana; and son, Zachary Blum of Monroe, Indiana; grandchildren, Travis Fravel, Lindi (Tyler) Fuelling, Madalyn Fravel (fiancé, Melih), Audrey Fravel, Ben Blum, Taylor Blum, Rachel Blum, Jacob (Meg) Todd, Alexandria (Cody) Livengood, and Lucas Blum; great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Ronan Fuelling and Evelyn Todd; step-grandchildren, Paulie (Madison) Robison, Baron (Emma) Robison, and Emily (Justin) Smith; step-great-grandchildren, Emery, Max, and Roman Robison; Ariel, Ava & Amelia Smith; sisters-in-law, Diane Shutt and Colleen Bulmahn, and brother-in-law, Gary (Linda) Hitzeman; along with 41 nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bart was preceded in death by four sisters, Dona (Arnold) Radke, Lorna (Erwin) Bultemeier, Virginia (Darrell) Poole, Carolyn (Charles) Schwartz; two brothers, Edward & Donald (Sally)Blum; brothers-in-law, Dean Hawkins, Gerald Fogel, Lynn Shutt, & Larry Bulmahn; and step-grandson, Vincent Fravel.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Preble with visitation for one hour prior to the service.

Family and friends will also be received from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 3, 2024, at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur.

Memorials in Bart’s name may be given to Worship Anew, St. Peter Immanuel Lutheran School, Wyneken Lutheran School, or the National Rifle Association.