Lee Bernhart Blehl

Lee Bernhart Blehl, age 95 years, of High Bridge, NJ, died on Thursday, September 28, 2017 in Country Arch Care Center, Pittstown, NJ.

Born on February 2, 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Walter H. and Anna Harvey Blehl and step-son of Abigail Lee Barnes Blehl. The family moved to New York City when Lee was 2 years old.

He and his wife Laura Ella Hart were married on June 26, 1953.

Lee enlisted in the New York National Guard in 1938 at age 16. Reenlisted in the regular Army and spent one year of compulsory training at Fort McClelland, Alabama before Pearl Harbor. He was stationed in Hawaii for 3 years with the 27th Division, 102nd Medium Ordinance Company, Special Troops. He was sent to Iwo Jima for 7 months until the end of the World War II.

The family moved to Glen Gardner, NJ in 1946.

Lee was employed at Taylor-Wharton in High Bridge until it closed in 1953. He worked at Foran Foundry and Flemington Dural Rubber. He was employed by Presco Foods in Flemington for 14 years. He was custodian at Hunterdon Central High School. He was Head Custodian at High Bridge School for 16 years until his retirement.

He was a member of the New Jersey Army Reserve National Guard in Flemington for 33 years. He retired with the rank of Platoon Sergeant E-7. Between the Regular Army and the National Guard, he served 43 years 3 months. He received his G. E. D. at Sea Girt Military Academy through the National Guard. He has always been very proud of his military service to his country.

Lee's hobbies are fishing, woodworking, wood crafts, and beadwork. He enjoyed making things for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. He was the High Bridge Boy Scouts leader and also neighborhood chairman for several years. He is a life member of the American Legion, High Bridge Post 188. He is a life member of the V F. W. Glen Gardner Post 5119. He is a member of the 27th Division Association. He is a member of the New Jersey Black Powder Association

Surviving are his wife, Laura Ella Blehl of High Bridge, NJ; son, Edmund W. Blehl and his wife Stacy of Lady Lake. FL ;daughter, Laura Lee White and her husband Robert N. White of Edmonton, KY; son, Kevin W. Blehl and his wife Katherine Ann Grant Dolan of Murrieta, CA; daughter, Donna M. Horvath and her husband James R. Horvath of Alpha NJ; Lee has 11 grandchildren; Diane L. Lessenberry, John E. Blehl, Brandon E. Blehl, David R. White, Michelle M. Glass, Erin M. Brown, Steven S. Blehl, Megan D. Blehl, April R. Ballard, James C. Horvath, and Samantha R. Horvath, and also a step-granddaughter Lauren K. Dolan.

He also has 19 great grandchildren; Anthony, Nicholas, Kassandra, John, & Patrick Blehl Jonathan & Joseph Blehl Justin & Danielle Lessenberry Maddox & Madelyn Glass Marshall & Archer White Jonas & Raye Ballard Xander McPherson Jillian & Jacob Abatemarco, and James Horvath.

A brother, Walter Harry Blehl Jr. passed away June 24, 1998.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 2, 2017 at Noon in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will be in Three Bridges Cemetery, Three Bridges, NJ. Calling hours will be held from 10 AM until time of the service in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the High Bridge Emergency Squad, 95 W Main St, High Bridge, NJ 08829.