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Harvey Ream, WWII

Harvey Joseph Ream Sr. was born on June 20, 1905 in Lower Turkeyfoot Township near Confluence, Somerset County, PA. He was the seventh of 16 children born to Joseph and Sarah Ellen (Harbaugh) Ream.

Harvey married Grace Nevada Hall (1913-1941), daughter of William and Charlotte (Layfield) Hall. The couple resided in or near Confluence, but apparently did not reproduce.

Tragically, in early January 1941, Grace was stricken with bilateral lobar pneumonia which led to strep and staph infections. Her health declined and she died at home on Jan. 12, 1941, at the age of 27.

Jersey Baptist Church Cemetery

Her funeral was held at the Jersey Baptist Church near Confluence, with Rev. H.A. Moorehead officiating. She was buried at the church cemetery. A short obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

After his wife's passing, Harvey went on to serve in World War II as a private first class in the United States Army. After the war, he was a member of the American Legion.

Having been a widower for almost six years, Harvey married Clema Cleo Faye Sterner (1925-2009), the daughter of Jesse and Ora (Wills) Sterner. They were wed on Dec. 4, 1946, when he was age 41 and she 21. They were separated in age by two decades.

They went on to produce seven children -- Darlene Perryman, Norma Jean Colflesh Shroyer, Harvey Joseph Ream Jr., Betty Jean Digrottolo, Darl Keith Ream, Michael Ray Ream and William Dexter Ream.

Harvey with his automobile, apparently after returning home from the Army

Jersey Church Cemetery

The Reams dwelled in rural Confluence. Clema was a member of the Confluence Church of the Nazarene, while the children belonged to the Teen Age Class of the Ursina Church of God.

Clema outlived her husband by almost 24 years. 

She passed away at the age of 83 on May 22, 2009, in Pittsburgh's UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital. At the time of her death, said the Somerset Daily American, she was survived by 22 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

~ Daughter Darlene (Ream) Perryman ~

Daughter Darlene Ream married David Perryman.

In 2009, they dwelled in Central City.

~ Daughter Norma Jean (Ream) Colflesh Shroyer ~

Daughter Norma Jean Ream was twice married.

Her first spouse was Paul E. Colflesh Jr. ( ? - ? ), son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Colflesh Sr. of Ursina. Circa 1965, they made their home at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, where Paul was a sergeant in the U.S. Army.

They had at least two children, Paul Randall "Randy" Colflesh and Teresa Colflesh.

She was wed a second time to William "Bill" Shroyer ( ? - ? ). They made their home in Confluence in 2009.

~ Son Harvey Joseph Ream Jr. ~

Son Harvey Joseph Ream Jr. ( ? - ? ) was married to Garnett ( ? - ? ).

In 2009, they made their residence in Acme, Westmoreland County, PA.

~ Daughter Betty Jean (Ream) Digrottolo ~

Daughter Betty Jean Ream ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). Circa January 1967, she was a contestant for Maple Princess of the Turkeyfoot Valley Area Schools.

Betty was united in wedlock with Daniel "Dan" Digrottolo ( ? - ? ).

They lived in Confluence in 2009.

~ Son Darl Keith Ream ~

Son Darl Keith Ream was wedded to Barbara ( ? - ? ) and lived in Confluence.

~ Son Michael Ray Ream ~

Son Michael Ray Ream ( ? - ? )

~ Son William Dexter Ream ~

Son William Dexter Ream married Susan (?) and made Confluence their home in 2009.