Wilmer Leonard Hogan, son of Elias and Aletta (Edel) Hogan was born March 10, 1921 near Long Island, Kansas and passed away Monday, July 14, 2014 at The Wealshire, an assisted living facility in Lincolnshire, IL, at the age of 93.
Wilmer lived most of his early life in the Phillips County area, except for seven years in Idalia, Colorado. He graduated from high school in Long Island, Kansas in 1940 and went to work at an aircraft factory in Wichita, Kansas.
Wilmer was a true American Hero, entering the Army Air Corps in 1943 as a machine gunner in the Fifteenth Army Air Force. His plane was shot down in November of 1944. Wounded, Wilmer spent the last months of the war as a Prisoner of War in various POW camps in Germany.
In 1946 Wilmer married Marie Van Loenen of Prairie View, Kansas and together they had two sons, Leon and Lauren. Wilmer was a co-owner of the City Garage in Prairie View, Kansas and worked as a Rural Mail Carrier for the United States Post Office from 1953 - 1986.
Wilmer gave generously of his time to civic organizations, serving as mayor of Prairie View and on the Board of the Unified School District #326 for 20 years, several as Board President. He also served on the governing board of the Luctor Christian Reformed Church in Prairie View as a Deacon and Elder. He was a long time member of the Long Island American Legion Post 304.
Wilmer, a gifted athlete, was a pitcher with a semi-professional baseball team in Wichita, Kansas before joining the military. He excelled at hunting and trap shooting, where he was a consistent winner in senior division competitions. After retiring, Wilmer and Marie enjoyed touring the US in their RV and wintering in Arizona.
Wilmer is survived by his beloved wife, Marie and his sons, Leon and Linda (Callahan) Hogan of Annandale, New Jersey and Lauren and Joyce (Wodlinger) Hogan of Northbrook, IL and their grandchildren, Brett and Andrea (Koehler) Hogan of Chicago, Illinois and Samantha Hogan of Northbrook, IL. He is also survived by one sister, Anna Mae (Hogan) Koeteeuw of San Antonio, Texas.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 18 at 10:00 a.m. in the Luctor Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Harlan Nonhof officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie View Cemetery with military honors by the Long Island American Legion.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 9:00 Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials have been established to the Church or the Long Island American Legion.