- Date Of Birth: November 14, 1920
- Date Of Death: April 27, 2015
- State: Illinois
Harlan “Lucky” Strode, 94, passed away April 27, 2015 in the Streator Hospital.
Harlan was born November 14, 1920 in rural Lostant to Elzie and Bertha (Heusel) Strode. Harlan served in the US Army as a sergeant during WWII. He owned “Lucky’s Body & Fender Shop” in Streator and Harlan’s Standard Service Station in Lostant. After his retirement he filled a variety of occupations: maintenance for the Village of Lostant, Agri Starts in Florida, score keeper and bus driver for Lostant School. Those who had the privilege of Lucky as a bus driver still remember his antics. Lucky entertained his family and friends with his sense of humor, his singing, harmonica playing, doodling and storytelling. Harlan and Janet married on May 4, 1946 and enjoyed 69 years of marital bliss. They lived most of their lives in Lostant, and recently moved to Liberty Village in Streator. Harlan is survived by his wife, Janet and their five children, Sandra (Strode) Valentine, Randy Strode, Ken Strode, Joy (Strode) Coons, Kathy (Strode) Cooke, 12 Grandchildren, 17 Great-Grandchildren, one Great Great Grandchild and his sisters, Evelyn (Strode) Clark and Esther (Strode) Linder.
Harlan was preceded in death by his parents Elzie and Bertha Strode and brother Denton “Barney” Strode.
