Harley R. Oakley

August 15, 2020 - January 7, 2009

Mattoon-Harley R. Oakley, age 88, of Mattoon, passed away at 3:15 p.m., Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. \r\nThe funeral service in his honor will begin at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10, 2009, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois, 61938, with Reverend Rachel Doolin officiating. Interment will be in Humboldt Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Mattoon VFW Post 4325. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m., Saturday, until service time. Masonic rites will begin at 11:45 a.m. \r\nMr. Oakley was born in Coles County, Illinois on August 15, 1920, the son of Charles F. and Marjorie (Nale) Oakley. He married Helen M. Downey in 1942 at the Presbyterian Parsonage. She passed away in 1998. Survivors include 2 sons, Thomas E. Oakley and wife Kathy of Mattoon, and Timothy J. Oakley and wife Annette of Mattoon; grandchildren, Josh Oakley and wife Jasmine, Keli Skripsky and husband Matt, Wendy Durdel and husband Jesse, Samantha Crowe and friend Jason, Kassandra Oakley, and Coty Oakley; four great grandchildren; two sisters- in-law, Mary McWilliams and husband Verlan of Mattoon, and Sue Jenkins and husband Virgil of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves special friend Gevena Gulliford of Mattoon. In addition to his wife, Mr. Oakley was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Charles F. Oakley, Jr.; and a sister, Mary Rawlings. \r\nMr. Oakley had worked for the New York Central Railroad until his retirement in 1982. He was also the co-owner of Oakley and Son Cycle, Hobby, and Marine located on Marshall Avenue in Mattoon and remained active in the business until 1998. \r\nMr. Oakley was a member of the Marshall Avenue Christian Church. He had served our country during World War II as a sergeant with the Army and was a member of the Mattoon VFW. Other memberships include the American Legion, Moose, Eagles, and Masonic Lodge, all of Mattoon. He was a member of the East St. Louis AINAD Chapter of Shriners, the National Association Railroad Veterans, and a founding member of AMBUCS. \r\nMemorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital, 2001 S. Lindbergh Blvd.,St. Louis, MO 63131-3597.\r\nPlease visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with his family.