Harland L. Higley Sr., 73, of Cataract, died Sunday, August 10, 2008 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, surrounded by family and friends.  He was born on July 24, 1935 in Dekorra Township, Colombia County, WI to Burton C. and Leah (Freeland) Higley.  He grew up in Poynette, WI and graduated from Poynette High School.  He served in the U.S. Air Force as a weapons specialist during the Korean Conflict.  After the service he came back to the Poynette area.

     He married Joyce James on October 13, 1958.  He worked for the State of Wisconsin in the Department of Transportation for over 38 years.  He took pride in his road construction.

     They moved to the Sparta area in 1965.  He belonged to the American Legion Post 439 in Melrose, WI, Cataract Sportsman Club, as past president, Hunter Safety Instructor, helping start the program in the 70’s.  He was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed traveling out west.

     He is survived by his wife, Joyce of Cataract; his children, Tim (Deb) Higley of Cataract, Korrina (Dennis) Craig of Bangor, Brenda (Barry) Clark of Cataract, Toni (Scott) Kvalheim of Sparta, Harland Jr. (Tami) Higley of Colby, WI, and Penny Higley of Cataract;  grandchildren, Zackery, Tatiana, Matthew, Adam, Madeline, Patrick, Samuel, Derek, Hannah, Allison, Emerson, Hannah, Elias, Wyatt, Dalton, and Josie; 6 sisters and 2 brothers.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Leah Higley; and a son, Burton Charles “Chuck” Higley.

     Memorial services will be Friday at 12 noon at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta. Burial with full military honors provided by American Legion Post 439 will be in the Melrose Cemetery, Melrose.

     Friends may call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and on Friday from 11 a.m. until time of services. 

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.