Robert L. "Bob" Poltera, 81, died Dec. 10, 2005, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

He was born Dec. 18, 1923, in Coldwater, the son of Lutzie Henry and Viola Genevieve Shelton Poltera. He graduated from Coldwater High School in 1941 and attended Washburn University. A resident of Hutchinson since 1960, moving from Greensburg, he was a John Deere Dealer for 25 years, owning Poltera Implement Company, Hutchinson, and he had previously co-owned Swisher Sales Co., Greensburg.

He belonged to First Presbyterian Church and attended Northminister Presbyterian Church, Phi Delta Theta and the V.F.W., Greensburg. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, serving in the China offensive, Burma.

On Aug. 25, 1943, he married Doris May Swisher at Kinsley. She survives.

Other survivors include: two sons, Gary, Hutchinson, and Ronald, Winfield; a daughter, D. Renee Clary, Bel Aire; a sister, Joan Gatewood, Topeka; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, Hutchinson, with the Rev. Tim Soule and Skip Johnson presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the funeral home, with the family present from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Reno County, the First Presbyterian Church or Northminister Presbyterian Church, all in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be left for the family at www.elliottmortuary.com.