W. Dale Harriman

William Dale Harriman 86, of Indianapolis, died February 11, 2012. Dale was born June 14, 1925 in Bellefontaine, Ohio to Pearl Hess and Susan Gertrude (Frye) Harriman. Upon graduating from high school, Dale served our country during WWII with the U.S. Army 29th Infantry Division, where he was seriously wounded after landing in Normandy following D-Day. For his service, he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Many years after WWII, he wrote a manuscript of his experiences in the war that included his time as a POW in Germany. His memoirs are in the Library of Congress as part of Senator Lugar's Veterans History Project and his oral history can be found online. Following the war Dale graduated from The Ohio State University in 1951.Always a dedicated OSU Buckeye fan, Dale braved the snow storm and watched till the bitter end when OSU played University of Michigan in the legendary 1950 Snow Bowl. In addition to being an OSU fan, he belonged to Legion Post #497 and the Scottish Rite Cathedral. He worked in purchasing for Indiana Gear and Buehler Turbocraft. At the time of retirement, he was working in sales for Meyer Plastics in Indianapolis. As an active member since 1957 and trustee of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Dale and Mary Ellen proudly raised their children in the church. In addition, as a son of a piano teacher, Dale made sure to expose his family to a broad range of music. As an accomplished woodworker, Dale also enjoyed helping his family build their homes. Throughout his life Dale expressed his pride, commitment, and love for his family. Many a weekend would find him helping family members with their building and woodworking projects here and in Ohio, as family was his first priority. Along with helping family, and keeping up with current events, Dale and Mary Ellen enjoyed traveling throughout their married life together. One of their favorite trips was to Normandy for the 45th anniversary of D-Day. Dale was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert D. Harriman. Dale is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ellen (Polen) Harriman; their children, Susan (Dennis Cannon) Collins, Steve (Kathleen) Harriman, Joseph (Teresa) Harriman and Cynthia (Dr. Joel) Gelman and his nine grandchildren, John and Brett Collins. William, Shelley and Joseph Jr. Harriman, Cassandra Siktberg and Carrie, Sarah and Daniel Gelman, and 4 great-grandchildren, Henry and Wyatt Collins, Hannah Harriman and Nathaniel Siktberg, and a sister-in-law, Phyllis (Clevinger) Harriman. Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Flanner and Buchanan - Washington Park North , 2706 Kessler Blvd. W. Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46228 at 2:30 p.m., with visitation from 12:30 until service time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church, 3425 West 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan