Harley A. Tucker

Harley A. Tucker, 89, of Nortonville, Kansas, formerly of Ottawa, passed away Monday, February 5, 2018, at Village Villa, Nortonville. Mr. Tucker will lie in state from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Dengel & Son Mortuary and to the service hour Thursday. Family will meet with friends from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., Thursday, February 8, 2018, at the mortuary. Funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 A.M. Interment Peoria Cemetery, Franklin County, with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Harley was born July 17, 1928, in Rantoul, Kansas, the son of Howard O. and M. Henrietta (Mosher) Tucker. He was raised in Rantoul and Williamsburg and was a longtime Ottawa resident. He attended Appanoose Elementary School and graduated from Williamsburg High School with the class of 1946. Harley served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 as an Infantryman. In September 1951, Harley was wounded as a direct result of action with enemy forces. He then was awarded 3 purple hearts. He obtained the rank of Sergeant and received the Korean Service Metal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Harley was united in marriage to Lillie Mae Button December 19, 1951, in Ottawa. She preceded him in death on May 23, 2017 after 65 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Henrietta Tucker. Survivors include his two children, Cyndi Strother and husband Brian of Humble, Texas, and Robert Tucker and wife Christine of Topeka; sisters, Beth Hinderliter of Ottawa, and Theo Escobedo and husband Isaias of Florence, South Carolina; eleven grandchildren, Corey Tucker, Robbie Tucker, Amber Summeralls, Chris Tucker, Heather Reeder, Keia Torres, Jake Strother, Jade Strother, Dylan Tucker, Dalton Tucker, and Dakota Tucker; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Harley worked in the oil fields when he was younger. After moving to Ottawa, Harley was employed at Montgomery Wards, Otasco, and Sears. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Harley enjoyed family vacations, bowling, fishing, and in his younger years hunting. His true passion was horseshoe pitching, belonging to the Ottawa Horseshoe Club where he served many years as the president and secretary. Harley helped build and set up the current shoe pits at Forest Park in Ottawa. He was a KC Royals fan, loved college basketball and the KU Jayhawks. The family suggests memorial contributions to Calvary Baptist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Harley’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com