Clarence Raymond Hartley Jr.

It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Clarence Raymond Hartley, Jr., 61, of Angola, Indiana. Clarence passed away after a brief illness on August 27, 2023. Born in Camden, Michigan in 1962, Clarence lived most of his early life in Camden, Michigan; Edon, Ohio; Dover Air Force, Dover, Delaware and Altis Air Force Base in Altis, Oklahoma; and after retirement, in Angola, Indiana. He was a 1980 graduate of Edon High School. He enjoyed farming, repairing machinery, automobiles, and frequenting local auctions.

Proceeded in death his father Clarence R. Hartley, his mother Opal Eileen Hartley. Clarence is survived by his sisters Mary E. Cramer of Fairfax, Virginia; Nancy M. (Gerry) Laskoski of Rolling Prairie, Indiana; and Susan C. (Robert) Kollmar, of Rockport, Maine.

Clarence served in, and retired from, the United States Air Force for 20 years. During his career, he served as a Flight Mechanic on the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy aircraft assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing, Air Mobility Command at the Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, and served as a Flight Engineer on the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy assigned to the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altis Air Force Base in Altis, Oklahoma, providing combat and logistics support and supplies to numerous military conflicts and support missions throughout the world. He retired with an Honorable Discharge from the Air Force in 2000. His colleagues and the Air Force knew that he could repair anything on a C-5 Galaxy aircraft.

Clarence enjoyed his family, his neighbors, and his many Air Force friends. He was widely recognized with his exceptional talent with restoring inoperative, unique mechanical treasures which were often abandoned or unwanted by others.

Clarence lived a full, active and rewarding life, and was always eager to help everyone. He will be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held in the in the future.

Arrangements by D.O. McComb and Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home 1140 Lake Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46805