Erd Vanleer Splain, a retired federal civil service employee and Army cook, died Wednesday of respiratory failure at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. He was 84 and had lived in Highlandtown for 52 years.

Born in Sunbury, Pa., where he attended schools, he joined the Army in 1941 and served until 1966, spending much of that time as a cook.

"When he cooked at home, he cooked for the Army too," said his daughter, Marliese Stallings of White Marsh.

Mr. Splain was in the Battle of Bulge during World War II and was later stationed in Korea.

From 1966 to 1977 he was a U.S. Civil Service employee and worked at Fort Meade.

He belonged to the Disabled American Veterans, the U.S. Constabulary Association, the Dundalk Moose, the Dundalk Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Ida Keilbach; two sons, Neil Splain of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Lonnie Splain of Dundalk; a sister, Vivian Scott of Herndon, Pa.; six grandsons and four great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial was offered yesterday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, Conkling Street and Foster Avenue.