Ploen, Harley E. (1924 - 2018)

PLOEN, MANHART, KAHLER, KAY

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 2/16/2018 at 14:48:14

Name of deceased: Harley Edwin Ploen

Aged: 93 yrs, 11 mo, 21 days

Residence: Little Flower Haven Nursing Home, Earling, IA

Born: Feb. 11, 1924; Minden, Pottawattamie County, IA

Died: Feb. 1, 2018; Little Flower Haven Nursing Home, Earling, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018; Little Flower Haven Nursing Home, Earling, IA; burial was of Feb. 11, 2018 at
Shelby Cemetery, Shelby, IA

Survived by: Children, Jack Ploen (spouse, Judy) of Avoca, IA, Chuck Ploen (spouse, Linda) of Walnut, IA, Peggy Manhart (spouse, Dan) of Neola, IA, and Vince Ploen (spouse, Tamera) of Harlan, IA; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Kahler of Avoca, IA; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, William and Minnie (nee Kay) Ploen; brothers, Lester & Dale Ploen; granddaughter, Melissa Manhart

Education: attending and graduating from Shelby (IA) Consolidated School

Religious affiliation: no information provided

Military service: In Jan. 1943, Harley was inducted into the U. S. Army Air Corps. After completing his training in Aug. 1944, Harley was assigned to the island of Saipan where he participated as a member with the B-29 Navy Heavy Super Fortress 882nd Bomb Squadron. He was awarded 3 bronze stars; shortly after the end of the war, Harley returned to Minden, IA.

Marriage: Margie Mae Danker; March 21, 1948; location not provided. They later divorced after 49 years of marriage.

Employment: worked for Minden Oil Company, delivering fuel to farmers in the area; farmed; after retiring from farming, Harley worked at Agriland Farm Service in Avoca, IA for 8 years, and periodically for RL Craft Commercial Roofing Company.

Hobbies/Interests: Member, Walnut American Legion, Walnut AMVET Post No. 45, and Iowa Farm Bureau; enjoyed listening to polka band records and volunteering to help several nonprofit groups; traveling throughout the country

Sources: harlanonline.com; pauleyjones.com