Harold Lewis Bloom, 83, of Whitestown Road died Monday evening at his home.

Born April 1, 1922, in Meridian, he was the son of Andrew F. and Hazel Wick Bloom.

He was a member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

During World War II, he served in the Army 82nd Airborne Division and participated in the Allied invasions of Northern Africa, Sicily, Anzio, Salerno and the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, he returned home to farm and to operate Bloom's Doorstep Grocery, a business supplying groceries to rural homes and farms. He then was a fertilizer and chemical salesman for more than 45 years working for Central Chemical Corp. and Hoopes Fertilizer Works of Ohio.

Mr. Bloom was actively involved in the Democratic Party, serving as the Butler County Democratic Party treasurer and as a Democratic committeeman for Connoquenessing Township. He was recognized by former Gov. Tom Ridge for voting in every election for 50 consecutive years.

He was a Connoquenessing Township supervisor for 30 years; and at one time, he was the township Civil Defense director.

Surviving are his wife, Lilian Davies Petracco Bloom, whom he married Sept. 18, 1981; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert L. and Barbara Bloom of Gainesville, Texas; a son-in-law and daughter, attorney John J. and Linda J. Morgan of Butler; a stepson and his wife, Peter P. and Randi Petracco of Lower Burrell; two stepdaughters and a step-son-in-law, Lydia Petracco of Shippensburg and Robert J. and Linda Buchko of Natrona Heights.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren and their spouses, Ryan and Lisa Bloom of Sanger, Texas; Nathan and Amber Bloom of Corinth, Texas; Aaron and Kristi Bloom of Gainesville, Texas; Richard and Carrie L. Morgan-Davis of Gibsonia; Victoria G. Morgan of Royersford; Courtney A. Morgan of King Of Prussia; Kevan J. Petracco of Pittsburgh; Gavan C. Petracco of Lower Burrell; and Thomas and Rebecca Orpikowaski of Sarver; and two great-grandchildren, Allison Bloom of Sanger and Noah Bloom of Corinth.

A brother and his wife, Lawrence and Laura Bloom of Butler; a sister, Alma Croll of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews, also survive.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eugenia Rankin Bloom, who died April 9, 1976, and seven brothers and sisters.

<B>BLOOM</B> - Friends of Harold L Bloom, who died Monday, Oct. 3, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at EDWARD L. RAISLEY FUNERAL HOME, 387 Main St., Prospect. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with his church pastor officiating. Burial will follow at St. John's Reformed Church Cemetery, Butler.Memorial contributions can be made to Butler Meals on Wheels, 218 E. Jefferson St., Butler PA 16001For more information go to www.raisleyfuneralhome.com.