When Harley was 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country honorably while aboard the USS Warren. While serving, Harley was awarded the Victory Medal and the American Area Campaign Medal.
On August 11, 1956, Harley married Leoma (Gard) Hedge. Leoma preceded Harley in death on May 6, 2003. He then married Retha (Viney) Hedge in July of 2008, and she survives.
Harley worked for 32 years at Chrysler of Kokomo before retiring in 1998. He was a lifelong member of the Eagles Lodge. He had a passion for woodworking and also enjoyed listening to music, playing cards, and doing word search puzzles. He had a daily routine of watching The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. Harley would make friends with everyone that he interacted with, and loved his grandchildren more than anything.
In addition to his wife, Retha, Harley is survived by a daughter, Rebecca Miller, and a son, Sandy (Patty) Shaff; sister, Phyllis Green; grandchildren, Jason Amich, Shonna (Rob) Davison, Anglea Collins, Casey Lamm, Bobby Shaff, Paige (Shawn) Lawrence, Angie (Jim) Payne, Sonja Houston, Misty Shaff, Tonya Martin, and Ashley Shaff. Harley is also survived by 17 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Leoma, Harley was preceded in death by a son, Sam Shaff; daughter, Darlina Christine Lewis; brother, Garth Lee Hedge; and sisters, Nancy Strange, Betty Smart, and Georgia Paulty.
There will be a public visitation held for Harley at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home on Monday, May 14th from 11-1, with a funeral service immediately following.
Memorial contributions in Harley’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
