Ora Galen Blocher, beloved husband and dear father, age 98, passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2002
at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI. He was born March 5, 1903 on the family farm in
Eden Township, Custer, Mason Co., MI, to Edmond and Eliza Ann (Royer) Blocher, their only child.

He was married on October 31, 1928, in Bowling Green, OH to Blanche Gertrude Saxton,
the daughter of Richard Alvin and Laura Mae (Brovont) Saxton, who preceded him in death
February 25, 1998.

To this union were born four children, all of whom survive: Beverly Diane (William) Lawther of Ypsilanti,
Don Allan (Betty) Blocher of Phoenix, AZ, Robert Lee (Barbara) Blocher of Lake Havasu City, AZ and
Eric Lynn Blocher of Superior Township, MI. Also, survived by grand- children: Diane, Jeffrey (Linda)
and Rebecca Lawther, all of Ypsilanti; Kathleen (John) Toth, Steven (Pamela) Blocher and
Joseph (Casandra) Blocher, all of Phoenix, AZ, Vicky (James) Kemp of Camano Island, WA,
Mark (Elisa) Blocher of Frisco, TX, David (Elisa) Blocher of Dallas, TX and Kristine Blocher of
Lake Havasu City, AZ. Also surviving are ten great grand children and two great-great- grandchildren.

He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1926 with a BSE degree in Aeronautical Engineering,
one of only seven graduates in that discipline for the year. After graduation he worked as a designer
for Hess Aircraft (1926), Curtiss-Wright (1928), Ford Motor Co. (1928-29), Hise Aircraft (1931-33) and
Stout Engineering (1933); as a project engineer for GM Research Corp. (1926-28); as a design engineer
for Stinson Aircraft (1933-34); as a chief engineer for Verville Aircraft (1929-31), Aerocar Co.(1934-38)
and Stout Aircraft (1943-44); as an executive engineer for Stinson Aircraft (1943-44) and the Bendix Corp.
Experimental Aircraft Division(1944-46); and as a research engineer for the University of Michigan
Willow Run Labs (1946-68), from which he retired in 1968.

He, along with his wife, Blanche, loved to garden, raising vegetables and flowers, at one time having
over 250 different named bearded iris.

Visitation 6-9 Wednesday February 20, 2002 at STARK FUNERAL SERVICE Moore Memorial Chapel.
Visitation 6-9 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2002 at the Alexander-Rye Funeral Home,
309 S. Washington Ave, Ludington, MI. The funeral service for Mr. Blocher will be 11 a.m. Saturday,
February 23, 2002 at Alexander-Rye Funeral Home with the Rev. Merritt Bongard officiating.
Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Custer, MI.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider donations
to the charity of their choice.
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