Ivan Colburn

Ivan Bradley Colburn of Mt. Airy, MD passed away at the age of 94 on August 19th 2011. Ivan was born on July 6th 1917 in Washington D.C. to Thomas Bradley and Elsie Amanda van Horn Colburn. He is predeceased by a brother, Thomas Raymond Colburn, and is survived by a sister, Lois Frances Allen and her husband John Joseph Allen Jr. After growing up in Washington D.C., Ivan graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1937. Washington D.C.was also the place where Ivan met his wife of 69 years Jean Elizabeth Swartz Colburn. Ivan was soon called away to serve his country and had a prolific career in the United States Army from 1942-1946. He was a member of the 1155th Engineer Combat Group and is a veteran of the American theater, European African Middle Eastern Theatre, Asiatic Pacific Theatre, Philippine Liberation Theatre, and saw service in Rhineland Central Europe. Ivan was honorably discharged as a Tech 4 with a cavalcade of awards and medals. He received a Ribbon and a Star for each campaign he was involved in, along with a World War II Victory Ribbon, a medal for Good Conduct, and an Army of Occupation (Japan) Star. In addition, Ivan was a proficient marksman and earned Sharpshooter Medals in Rifle, Sub-Machine Gun, Coast artillery, and Carbine. Ivan was employed as a Placement Specialist for the Office of the Secretary of the Army at The Pentagon. Ivan also drove Bus #74 for Carroll County Public Schools and was Advertising Manager for The Community Reporter of Mt. Airy MD. In addition, Ivan was a farmer and pioneer of soil conservation and contour strip farming in Carroll County, MD. Ivan was heavily involved in his community and was a member of many service organizations. He was a member and volunteer at Calvary United Methodist Church of Mt. Airy MD where he also volunteered in many capacities for Mt. Airy NET for 10 years. Ivan also served as a member of American Legion Gold Star Post #191, Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Mt. Airy MD, and a Past Master of Travel for National Camping Travelers Chapter #100. To further serve his community, Ivan immersed himself in the Masonic family. Ivan was a 60 year member of Masonic Naval Lodge #4. He was a 50 year member of The Order of the Eastern Star, where he served as a Past Patron for the Prudence Chapter and a member of the Door of Virtue Chapter #94. From 1964-1965 Ivan served as the Grand Sentinel for the Grand Chapter Maryland Order of the Eastern Star. Ivan was also a Personal Aid to the Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Maryland from 2001-2002. In addition, Ivan was a member of Boumi Shrine and the Carroll York Rite bodies. In his spare time, Ivan enjoyed drawing, bowling, camping, and listening to his admirable collection of Big Band and Swing records. Ivan was also an avid newspaper reader consuming four newspapers daily and placing them back together so crisply that nobody would know they had been touched. In addition to his wife Jean, Ivan is survived by his three children; Carol Ann Hulver, William Bradley Colburn Sr. and his wife Wilma Colburn, and Dawn Elizabeth Bay. He is survived by a niece Judy Kraus and her husband John Kraus, Great niece Joy Dyer and her husband Scott Dyer. He is also survived by grandchildren; Jennifer and Rich Knorr, Denise and Rick Ruth, Christopher Hulver, William Bradley Colburn Jr., Robert and Leigh Bay, and Kari Bay. Great grandchildren are; Michael Joyce, Emily Knorr, Rachel Ruth, Allison Knorr, Nicholas Hulver, Joshua Knorr, Tyler Hulver, and Sarah Hulver. Ivan is also survived by a great great nephew Joseph Dyer. Memorial contributions can be made to Calvary United Methodist Church 403 S. Main St. Mount Airy, MD 21771 and The Dove House Carroll County Hospice 292 Stoner Ave. Westminster, MD 21157. Viewing will be held Tuesday August 23rd at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home 1212 W. Old Liberty Rd. Winfield, MD 21784 from 1-3pm and 7-9pm. An American Legion Gold Star Post #191 afternoon service will be held the same day. An Eastern Star service will be held at 7:30pm and a Masonic service to follow. Calvary United Methodist Church will hold a viewing at 10am on Wednesday August 24th followed by a funeral service at 11am. Interment 1:30 PM will be held at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, MD. Pallbearers will be Christopher Hulver, William Bradley Colburn Jr., Robert Bay, Rich Knorr, Rick Ruth, Joel Bohning, John Kraus, and Scott Dyer. Honorary pallbearers will be Jennifer Knorr, Denise Ruth, Kari Bay, Leigh Bay, Regina Atwood, Joy Dyer, Judy Kraus, JoAnn Heenan, Don Wall, and Donna Yates.
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