Arthur F. Gollner

Arthur F. Gollner, 88, of Willimantic, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at Windham Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Willimantic on May 5, 1923, son of the late Mary Ellen (Klymer) and Adolf Gollner. He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Agnes (Hanson) Gollner of Willimantic, his daughter and son-in-law Lisa (Gollner) Kuharski and Thomas Kuharski of Southington, and his granddaughter Christina Kuharski also of Southington. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Peter Pappas of Norwich, his brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Fidelis Gollner of Willimantic, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jennie and Robert Ouellette of North Windham, and his nieces, Jody Ouellette of North Windham and Wendy Ouellette of Brewster, NY, as well as several more nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Margaret Marrotte and Flora O'Neil, and one brother, Edward Gollner. He was a proud veteran of World War II, serving as an armorer gunner on a B-24 aircraft in the China-Burma-India theater of operations. He was a member of the 10th Air Force, 7th Bomb Group, and the 492nd Bomb Squadron. He was awarded an air medal with one oak leaf cluster, an Asiatic-Pacific theater medal, gunner's wings, three bronze stars and a good conduct medal. He also received unit citation for flying in the first 18 hour bombing mission on a B-24 aircraft. His name is proudly displayed on the last surviving flyable B-24 bomber. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He worked as an artesian well driller for 15 years. He later worked for 27 years at Brand Rex Co. in Willimantic before his retirement in 1992. The funeral will be held on Monday, July 11th at 10am at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. in Willimantic. Burial will follow in the New Willimantic Cemetery. Calling hours are at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 to 4pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA. 02241-7005, or at www.donate.americanheart.org . Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.