J. Robert Book, age 72, of Applegate Road, Millville, died on Tuesday morning, October 18, 2011 at home with his family under the care of Columbia Montour Home Hospice. Bob had been battling a recent bout with cancer and began failing in health for the past few months. He had been a resident of his farm in Millville for over 43 years.
Bob was born on Sunday, June 18, 1939 in Lancaster, PA a son of the late John Haverstick and Bertha Kreider (Landis) Book. He graduated school from the Lampeter-Strasburg High School. During his high school years, he was an active member in the FFA and also enjoyed farming and raising of hogs. After moving to the family farm in 1969, he and his wife owned and operated the family dairy farm in Millville. Many years later after leaving dairy farming, he continued as a crop farmer and custom-farmed for many families throughout Millville and the Greenwood Township area. He never retired from his farm and continued wanting to work even after beginning to fail in health. Bob was very well known and respected throughout the Millville area. He was also a very devoted member of the FFA and was awarded the American Farmer Degree at the FFA National Convention in Kansas City. He was a member of the Millville Fire Company for over 30 years. He was also a 25 year Member of the Atlantic Dairy Co-operative, the Columbia County Farm Service Agency and was the Co-operator of Columbia County Conservation District since 1968. Always a farmer. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Melinda (Waite) Book of Millville; three sons: James Book and wife, Julie, of Bloomsburg; John Book and wife, Brenda, of Northumberland; and Benjamin Book and wife, Tisha, of Millville; two daughters: Jennifer Keefer and husband, Donald, of Millville and Rachel Allbeck and husband, Scott, of Milllville; 11 grandchildren, who referred to him as "Grand-Bob" and "Bob-Bob": Jenna Allen and husband, Joshua, of Bloomsburg, Christian Stackhouse, Kurt Stackhouse, Cameron Book, Haeden Allbeck, Riley Book, Avery Book, Caroline Book, Kelsey Allbeck, Eli Book and Gracie Book; two great-grandchildren: Hadleigh and Eyer Allen; three siblings: Dorothy Book of Lancaster; Bernice Duvall and husband, Donald, of Sellersville, and Kenneth Book and wife, Dottie, of Lancaster.
A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening, October 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. from the Christian Gospel Fellowship Church, 2938 State Route 42, Millville, PA 17846.
Funeral services will be held on Friday morning, October 21 at 11 a.m. from the Christian Gospel Fellowship Church with Rev. Paul C. Converse, Sr., officiating. Graveside services will be held in Millville Cemetery. The Book family is being assisted by the Allen Funeral Home, Inc. 745 Market at Eighth Street in Bloomsburg. The Immediate family will provided flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to: Millville Fire Company, P.O. Box 80, Millville, PA 17846. For those unable to personally attend, online condolences are available at Allen-FuneralHome.com.