Denver Higley

Denver Higley, age 84, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 2:55 P.M. on Thursday, September 10, 2009, at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice near Defiance, Ohio, where he was a patient. Mr. Higley attended Bryan High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps, serving with the 506th Fighter Group and participated in ground combat at Iwo Jima and in the air offensive over Japan, earning two Bronze Stars. He was a farmer and also employed by Pet Milk in Bryan, Ohio, retiring in 1985 with thirty-seven years of service. He was a life member of Bryan VFW Post #2489 and the National Camping and Hiking Association. He and his wife traveled extensively, visiting every state with the exception of Alaska. He was an avid dancer and was a horseshoe pitching champion. Denver Higley was born on December 25, 1924, in West Unity, Ohio, the son of Vernon and Lucy May (Dick) Higley. He married Betty Mae Hudkins on July 3, 1948, in Paris, Kentucky, and she survives. He is also survived by one son, Denver “Doug” (Karen) Higley, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, one daughter, Tamara (Kent) Replogle, Westminster, Colorado, four grandchildren, Peter Higley, Kristine Higley, Seth Replogle and Amy Werpy, and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Vernon Craig Higley, a great-grandson, Joseph Werpy, a brother, Cliff Higley, a half brother, Cash Cramer, a half sister, Lila Green, and his stepmother, Winnie D. Higley. Visitation for Denver Higley will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2009, from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio. Services will be held on Monday, September 14, 2009, at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Kent Replogle officiating, followed by military honors conducted by Bryan VFW Post #2489. Interment will be private. Memorials may be given to Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice.