Ellis W. Van Horn Jr.

Ellis William “Bill” Van Horn Jr., 90, died on Monday, April 19, 2010 in his home at the Homewood Retirement Community, in Martinsburg, after a brief illness.  He was born on June 4, 1919 in Cumberland, MD, a son of the late E.W. and Cora (Smouse) Van Horn Sr.  On May 12, 1945 in Beaver Springs, he married Gladys M. “Sue” Koch and she preceded him in death on February 10, 2007.  He is survived by two children:  Daniel F. Van Horn and wife Elizabeth of Arlington, VA and Cheryl A. Gordon and husband Scott of Hanover.  One granddaughter Stephanie Riley and husband Bradley of Hanover and three great grandchildren and one expecting.  He was preceded in death by a grandson Stephen Berkheimer in 2003.

Bill graduated from Replogle High School in New Enterprise in 1936.  He then enrolled in Juniata College in Huntington from which he graduated in 1940.  He then entered law school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.  After graduating from law school in 1943, he joined the United States Army and served during WWII in the field artillery and later as a member of the Judge Advocate Corps in Japan.  Following his honorable discharge as a Captain, he practiced law for a brief time in Easton before opening a law office in Bedford in 1947.  He had a varied, general law practice, served as District Attorney for Bedford County from 1956-1963, and was the Bedford County Solicitor, as well as the Solicitor for various municipalities in Bedford County.  Bill was appointed Judge for Bedford and Fulton Counties in 1975, and served in that position until 1985, after which he presided in various courts of counties throughout central and western Pennsylvania as a Senior Judge.  In addition to his legal career, Bill was the President of New Enterprise Bank for several years prior to his appointment to his judiciary.  He was also instrumental in organizing a National Guard Unit in Everett, and served as its commanding officer from 1949 until 1962.  Bill and Sue were residents of Bedford from 1947 until 1989, where they were members of Trinity Lutheran Church.  While in Bedford, Bill was active in civic affairs and various community organizations, including the Elks and Lions.  Bill and Sue relocated to Hollidaysburg in 1989 and became members of Zion Lutheran Church.  They moved to Homewood at Martinsburg in 2006.

Burial will be private and a memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.  Friends will be received on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford.  Those wishing may make contributions in Bill’s memory to the Lukemia and Lymphoma Society, or to any other chartiable or educational organization of their choice.  Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.