Milton W. "Pee Wee" Bloom

Milton Wayne “Pee Wee” Bloom, 95, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Parkview Regional in Fort Wayne surrounded by the love of his family. He was a loving husband, dad and grandpa to many generations.

Born in his family home on January 31, 1930 in Claypool, Indiana, Milt was the son of Lester and Ida (Hill) Bloom. He graduated from Claypool High School in 1948 and attended International Business College.

Milt proudly served for our country in the U.S. Navy from 1951 until his Honorable Discharge in 1954. He served in the Korean War, in Okinawa, and was the Yeoman Third Class (YN3). Milt received the “Threads of Valor” Veteran Award in May 2019.

He co-owned the family business, Bloom’s General Store in Claypool. One day, his dad saw the girl he ought to marry and that turned into 73 years of love, laughs and growing their family. Milt married Doris Harden in Claypool on September 7, 1952. The young family enjoyed going to the skating rink and square dancing. Milt and Doris also took pride in the fact they never outwardly fought or stayed mad at each other. They talked about it and moved on.

After selling the family business, Milt worked for Borden Milk Company for several years and then became the accountant at Kerlin Motor Company for 30 years.

He loved to laugh and joke around. His family and friends never saw him upset or angry, rather always kind and calm. Milt’s family cherishes the vacations in their family van seeing fellow Navy families along their route, Sunday dinners at their home and the family reunions.

The couple loved to travel with their time share up and down the east coast, and went for 30 years to Myrtle Beach to celebrate their anniversary in September. They enjoyed going with other couples as well; seeing all the windmills, lighthouses and going on water excursions, as Milt enjoyed fishing.

Milt was a member of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and the Scottish Rite. Also, a lifetime member of the Claypool United Methodist Church. He was a former member of the Claypool Fire Department and the Lion’s Club.

He is dearly missed by his wife, Doris, and their children: Larry (LaDonna) Bloom, Shirlee (Tim) Hauth, Angela Hough and Anne (Paul) Sailor; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Harold Bloom, and granddaughter, Erin Hough.

Visitation will be held from 10-12 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. A Memorial service will follow at noon with Pastor Diane Quance officiating.

Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery, Claypool, with Military Honors.

Memorial contributions can be made to Claypool United Methodist Church, 302 E. Section Street, Claypool, 46510-8836.