Thomas O. Hartley

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Thomas O. Hartley, 90, of Warren, died Thursday, March 22, 2012 at home. He was born December 22, 1921 in Williamsfield, the son of Frederick J. and Alice E. (Owens) Hartley, and had lived in Northeast Ohio all his life.

A 1939 graduate of Williamsfield High School, Mr. Hartley joined the Army Air Force in 1943 and became a sheet metal mechanic. He was sent to Guam in February, 1944, and was then sent to Iwo Jima, serving a P51 fighter unit. He later returned to Guam to work on B29 bombers. On July 4, 1945, he and his unit were sent to Okinawa, where he became a member of the 507th B29 heavy bombardment squadron. He was stationed at Kadena Airfield until March, 1946, when he returned to the U.S. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in June, 1946.

He worked at Youngstown, Allegheny, and Hopkins airports for twenty years, then joined Packard Electric until his retirement in 1986.

Greatly interested in aviation, he soloed for the first time in October, 1940. He never lost his interest in aviation, and at one time owned his own plane, a "Swift," which is still flying. He took many friends for their first airplane ride.

In July, 1951, he married Judie Crouser of Warren, and they have been married over sixty years. They are the parents of Frederick Hartley of Warren and Trudie Hartley of Chevy Chase, Md. They also have six grandchildren: Justin and Christopher (Kelly) Hartley, Rodney, Kevin, and Beverly Schofield, and Tamara Newberry; and two great-grandsons, Kenneth and Frederick Hartley. Mr. Hartley is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy (Clair) Davis of Andover and Emily (Maynard) Walker of Ashtabula.

Preceding him in death are his parents; two sisters, Eleanor and Ruth; and four brothers: Marion, Robert, Millard, and Fred.

According to his wishes, services are private. Cremation is taking place. Material contributions may be made either to the Animal Welfare League, 545 Brunstetter Rd. S.W., Warren, Ohio 44481, or VFW Post 1090, 611 High St. N.E., Warren, Ohio 44483.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral and Cremation Services, 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandcares.com to view this obituary, send condolences, and order flowers.

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