Harlan J. Poole

Harlan J. Poole, age 94, also known as “Buck” or “Junior” to relatives and friends, passed away on February 19, 2017, at the home of his daughter in Yucca Valley, California. He was a lifelong resident of Edgerton prior to moving to California. Following his graduation from Edgerton High School in 1941, he enlisted in the Air Force in December 1942, spending time in Fresno, California, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Ogden, Utah, as a clerk typist prior to being sent to Iwo Jima to help in securing that island during World War II. After VJ Day, he was honorably discharged. Two years later, he re-enlisted in the Air Force and was assigned to Mitchell Field in New York as a cryptographer. He eventually received orders for Germany for the Berlin Airlift. After seven months, he returned home to Pine Camp, New York, followed by an assignment to Stewart Air Force Base in New York, where he continued his work as a cryptographer until ending his active duty career with 7 ½ years of service. He later joined the Indiana National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1953. Buck worked for the Leader Enterprise in Montpelier, Ohio, for 34 years, ending his career at The Bryan Times in 1991. He was a faithful member of the Edgerton United Methodist Church and John D. Smith Post #10 of the American Legion in Edgerton. He was also an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Indians. Harlan J. Poole was born on December 10, 1922, in Edgerton, the son of Waldo H. and Blanche E. (Wallace) Poole. He married Mable Mae Collins on December 23, 1949, in Angola, Indiana, and she preceded him in death on October 31, 2008. Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl Atchison, of Angola, Indiana, and Cynthia Reedy, of Yucca Valley, California; five grandsons, Chris Atchison, of Angola, Todd Atchison, of Orting, Washington, and Geoffrey Hendricks, Bryan Hendricks and Cameron Hendricks, all of Yucca Valley, California; nine great-grandchildren, Brandon, Kaitlyn, Kody, Ethan, and Grayson Atchison, and Tristan, Madison, Isabel and Annabel Henricks. He was also preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Marcia Whitaker; and one great-granddaughter, Alyssa Henricks. Visitation will be held in the Krill Funeral Home, 114 East Hull Street, Edgerton, on Sunday, March 5, 2017, from 3:00-7:00 P.M. Services will be held in the Krill Funeral Home, Edgerton, on Monday, March 6, 2017, at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend R.L. Barnett officiating. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Edgerton, with grave side military rites conducted by John D. Smith Post #10 of the American Legion. Memorials are requested to the American Heart Association or to the Edgerton United Methodist Church.