Joan Marie Sharp-Harmon
Joan Marie Sharp-Harmon, age 87, of Bellevue, passed away March 6, 2024, at Thornapple Manor in Hastings. She was born July 21, 1936, in Eaton Rapids to Merle and Marvelle “Jessie” (Heisler) Sharp. Joan received her education in Olivet, graduating from Olivet High School with the class of ‘54. She married the love of her life, Joseph Harman, on June 5, 1955 in Olivet.
It is hard to sum up Joan’s life in a few words. She was proud to be a homemaker and worked hard taking care of her family and chores on the farm. Joan also worked part time in the office helping farmers at Eaton County Farm Bureau. She loved to spend time outdoors and kept a tidy vegetable and flower garden every year. Joan was known for her cooking as well as being ruthless at playing Hand & Foot card game! She always took time to make sure her children succeeded in life and spent countless hours helping them with 4-H, girl scouts, and as a PTA room mother at Olivet Schools. Later in life Joan collected dolls and teapots. She was talented and creative with making crafts. Watching and listening to the many songbirds in her backyard brought her joy. She loved the Lord and attended Ainger Bible Church. Joan’s family remembers her as a very kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be deeply missed.
Those surviving her are her husband of 68 years, Joseph; children, Sally (Carl) Fox of PA, Carla (Bill) Kanine of Petoskey, Thomas (Julie) Harmon of Olivet, Debra (Rex) Swank of Olivet; eight grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; siblings, Jane VanDriessche of Olivet, brother-in-law, Bill Mott of Battle Creek, Barbara (John) Henry of TN, sister-in-law, Joyce Sharp of Olivet, Mary (Richard) Midlam of Olivet; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Gene Sharp, Elaine Sharp, Ilene Mott, and Kenneth Sharp.
Funeral services were held at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home on Saturday, March 9, 2024, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Family received friends during a time of visitation for one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place after the funeral service at Bosworth Cemetery.
Those desiring may make contributions in Joan’s memory to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, PO Box 58, Jackson, MI 49204 or to Visiting Angels in Charlotte, 338 S. Cochran Ave., Charlotte, MI 48813, or to West Carmel Congregational Church, 5016 Carlisle Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813
To view Joan’s obituary online or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com. The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral home.