AUBURN — Erland Pike Twitchell, 81, of Norway, died June 2, 2013 at the Hospice House.

He was born in South Paris, July 2, 1931, the son of Benjamin B. and Mildred Irene Purington Twitchell. He attended schools in South Paris and Bridgton and received his GED from Madison, Wis.

Mr. Twitchell worked for Parker Tree Service in Bridgton while in high school and later as a lineman for Lovell United Telephone Co. He was a member of the Norway National Guard from 1947 until entering the Air Force in 1952.

He was assigned to the Strategic Air Command as a Special Weapons Specialist, a job which took him to many different duty stations. Upon his discharge in 1956, he rejoined the U.S. Army Reserves serving in the 302nd MP Battalion of Bridgton Unit until ending his military career in 1960.

He was also employed by Paris Manufacturing, Peterson Sheet Metal of Norway and Howell Labs of Bridgton. He worked for P.H. Chadbourne of Bethel for 10 years, Elmer’s Pipe in Auburn and Burlington Homes in Oxford before retiring from Cornwall Industries in 1993.

He had lived in Bridgton until moving to South Woodstock in 1975. Mr. Twitchell was a member of the Oriental Lodge 16 AF & AM of Bridgton, The Oxford Chapter 29 RAM of Norway, and a former member of the Oxford Council in Norway, the Oriental Commandry of Bridgton and the Ark Mariners of Norway. He was a life member of American Legion Post 82 of Norway, where he served with the Color Guard and the Firing Squad. He was also a life member of the Weary Club of Norway, a member of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and the Bridgton Methodist Church.

Mr. Twitchell was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed gardening.

He is survived by a daughter, Christine Lefebvre of Island Pond, Vt.; a sister, Fern Twitchell of Gorham; a half sister, Dorothy Snow; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Capt. Benjamin B. Twitchell Jr.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com

Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5 at Norway Pine Grove Cemetery in South Paris. Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris.