Harlan D. Carley

Harlan D. Carley, 93, of Bettendorf, died peacefully, Monday, July 29, 2024 at Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street, Davenport. 

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Harlan will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2024 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf. Burial will the in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island with military honors. Visitation will be held at church from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Friday. Memorials may be made to St. John Vianney. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Harlan Davis Carley was born on January 22, 1931 in Maynard, Iowa, a son of George and Ulva (Davis) Carley. He graduated from Randalia High School in 1948 and Upper Iowa University in 1952 with a degree in education. He later earned his masters degree from Iowa State University. Harlan proudly served our country in the Navy, serving primarily in San Diego, California and was honored to participated in two Honor Flights, one as a chaperone and the other as a veteran.

Harlan was united in marriage to Mary Lingenfelter on August 20, 1955 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Burlington, Iowa. They have shared almost 69 years of marriage and memories together.

Mr. Carley was the principal at Fisher and Hansen Elementary Schools in Marshalltown, Iowa for twenty-five years before retiring and going into sales selling real estate, Nevco Scoreboards, Miracle Playground Equipment, and finally Riverbend Home Mortgage in Bettendorf, retiring for good in 2005.

Harlan was an active parishioner St. John Vianney Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister and was part of their Forever Young group. Harlan loved baseball and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He and Mary visited every Major League Baseball Stadium. Harlan also enjoyed playing Bingo at the Fountains and square dancing with the Wheel ‘n Steppers and Merry Rounders Round Dancing. 

Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Mary, Bettendorf; son, Ray Carley, Cedar Rapids, daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Kevin Brown, Davenport; grandchildren: Adam (Kelly) Carley, Reinbeck, Iowa, Chuck (Jen) Carley, West Branch, Iowa, Cole Brown, Haley Brown, and Kaitlyn Brown, all of Davenport; great-grandchildren: Kaylynn, Autumn, and Briana; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Joyce Cronen, Birdeen Kerby, Josephine Readeker and brothers: Walter and Bill Carley. May they rest in peace.