Joseph A. Harmon
Joseph A. Harmon, age 88, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Thornapple Manor in Hastings. He was born September 6, 1935, in Battle Creek the son of Elwin and Leona (Turner) Harmon. Joe graduated from Olivet High School in 1954. While in high school Joe became active in FFA and this experience led him to pursue a lifelong passion of farming. On June 5, 1955, he married Joan Sharp at the family home in Olivet. Joe was a true farmer and cherished each and every moment he spent laboring to provide for his family. He first farmed on Old 27 outside of Olivet and retired from his farm on Ainger Road. Joe had a love for tractors and equipment. He always repaired and rebuilt his own things. Joe was proud to work side by side on the family farm with first his father-in-law, Murl Sharp, friend, Stan Otto, and later his son, Tom. Together they made many special memories. Joe loved to visit with others. Strangers were never strangers for very long. He had a gentle way of making friends and took a genuine interest in others. Mike Babcock spent countless hours along with Joe solving the world’s problems in the milk house. When Joe retired from farming, he went to work as a salesman for Vigortone Feed and later Cen-Pe-Co Oil. Joe’s brother Jack said it best when he said, “I love my brother very much and he will be truly missed.”
Joe is survived by his 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; brother, Jack Harmon of Au Train, MI; sisters-in-law, Jane VanDriessche of Olivet, Barbara (John) Henry of TN, Joyce Sharp of Olivet, Mary (Richard) Midlam of Olivet; brother-in-law, Bill Mott of Battle Creek; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Murl and Jessie Sharp; wife of 68 years, Joan; and sister-in-law, Ruth Harmon.
Funeral services were held on Monday, March 25, 2024, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home 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 Joe’s memory to the Olivet FFA, 225 1st Street, Olivet, MI 49076.
To view Joe’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-green-kilgo.com.