Robert E. Land 96, of Friends Cove, died Monday, September 25, 2017, at UPMC Altoona Hospital.   He was born on February 10, 1921 in Staten Island, NY a son of the late James N. and Frances (Hoon) Land.  On August 2, 1947 in Bedford, he married Mary Ellen (Beegle) Land, who survives along with the following family: a daughter, Rebecca Fager and husband Alan, of York, a son, Robert E. Land Jr and wife Helen, of Los Angeles, CA, a daughter, Frances Locati and husband Ronald, of York, and a daughter, Jamie Brambley and husband Herb, of Breezewood; six grandchildren: Emily Bradfield and husband Scott, Betsy Latone and husband Kevin, Olivia and Elizabeth Land, Justie Brambley and wife Angie, and Tom Brambley and wife Sarah; eight great-grandchildren: Robert, Jack, Brooke, Landon, Zeke, Aliza, Ella, and Ike; and a brother, James N. Land Jr., of New Jersey.

Mr. Land graduated high school and attended Middlebury College in Vermont, before being drafted into the Army Air Corps during World War II.  He was stationed in the Caribbean working as a weather observer, reporting the forecast for the planes flying into South Africa.  He was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He then came to Bedford, a lifelong farmer of Friends Cove, and was an avid reader.  Robert was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., at the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 138 Ott Town Road, Everett, with Rev. Paul Claycomb officiating.  Burial at St. Mark’s Lutheran Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.  Visitation will be held privately.  Arrangements by the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford.  In lieu of flowers those wishing may make contributions in Robert’s name to: Fulton County Library, 227 N 1st St, McConnellsburg, PA 17233, Humane Society of Bedford County, 1108 Lutzville Road, Everett, PA 15537, or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, c/o Stacy Ford, Central Bedford Lutheran Parish, 156 Gould Lane, Bedford, PA 15522.  Our online guestbook is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.

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