Daniel C. Milbocker, 86, of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2017 at Transitions Healthcare of Gettysburg and went home to the Lord.

Born on May 25, 1931 in Gaylord, MI, he was the son of the late Thomas and Amy Webber Milbocker.  He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose Schilling Milbocker.

Dan was a member and communicant of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, and a daily communicant at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  He was a devout Catholic and very devoted to the Blessed Mother.  The oldest of his eleven siblings Dan helped to raise many of his younger siblings when at an early age their father died.  He held an advanced Ph.D. degree in Horticulture and was a research horticulturist for most of his career spent at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute.  He completed many ground breaking research projects with genetic plants in somatic segregation; and helped to bring the Kiwi fruit plant to the U.S.  He was an avid plant and vegetable gardener, sharing many of his prize vegetables with local residents, neighbors, and those in need.  He will be remembered by many as a good friend, and especially as a loving father and husband.

Surviving in addition to his wife are sons, Michael Milbocker and wife Jana of Boston, MA, and Mark Milbocker and partner Martin Woodward of Lower Gwynedd, PA; daughter, Christine Furmanak of State College, PA; grandchildren, Luke, Katrina, Shawn, and Bryan; brothers, Anthony Milbocker and John Milbocker; sisters, Loretta Skop, Virginia Milbocker, Thresa Cordon, Junice Young, and Marylin Reneau.  He was predeceased by a brother, Pat Milbocker; and by sisters, Helen Danahy and Angeline VanDeput.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 47 DePaul St., Emmitsburg with Rev. Charles F. Kreig, C.M. as celebrant.  Burial will follow in the New St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Emmitsburg.  The family will gather at 10:30 a.m. for Rosary prayers in the church prior to the Mass. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ACRESPROJECT.org, 2400 Bernel Rd., State College, PA  16803.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME in Emmitsburg, MD.  

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