ERIE — Harmon E. “Doc” Wolken Sr., 81, of Erie died 9:16 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin.

He was born on Aug. 31, 1929, at Chanute to Wendell and Marie (Carpenter) Wolken. He grew up at Chanute and attended country and Chanute schools.

He married Frances Wheeler on April 6, 1949, at the Neosho County Courthouse in Erie. She survives of the home.

He worked for the Beachner Construction Co. as a crane operator for more than 50 years, retiring in 2007. He enjoyed fishing, camping and spending time with family. He especially enjoyed his poodle, Susie.

Other survivors include four sons, Dale Wolken and his wife, Donna, of Erie, Wendell Wolken of Baxter Springs, Kevin Wolken and his wife, Vicki, of Conway Springs, and Bub Wolken and his wife, Debbie, of Greenbush; three daughters, Kim Russell and her husband, Mike, of Altoona, Karen Showalter and her husband, Skip, of Erie, and Brenda Welch and her husband, Jess, of Erie; 40 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; a brother, Ray Wolken of Ottawa; and two sisters, Gwen Cunningham of Cherryvale and Shirley Young of Chanute.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Bruce and Dan Wolken; a daughter, Penny Sexton; a grandson, Levi Wolken; two great-grandsons, Gavin Beard and Landis Wolken; two sisters; and a brother.

The service will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Erie. Burial will be in East Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Erie.

Memorials are suggested to Lake Parsons and these may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, 303 N. Grant St., P.O. Box 182, Erie, 66733.

Online condolences may be left at or mailed to www.wallfuneralservices.com.