Neal E. Harmon, age 80 of Haslett, MI passed away peacefully in his home, with his loving wife by his side, as she has always been. Born in Elwood, IN to William and Martha Harmon, he grew up in Cheboygan, MI where he attended and graduated from Cheboygan High School. After high school he entered the United States Army which he proudly served in for 3 years as a member of the Special Forces in Germany. Neal was a 32nd Degree Master Mason at the Freemasons Lodge in Grand Rapids, MI. He began a career at Meijer as an electrician and worked his way up to Director of Property Services for the entire Eastern Division. While working at Meijer, he attended night classes at Spring Arbor University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in Business Administration. Neal enjoyed substitute teaching in the Haslett and Okemos School Districts after he retired from Meijer after 30 years of service. Retirement did not suit an active person like Neal, so he started a second career as an electrician with the State of Michigan and was based at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing where he worked until his retirement in December 2018.
Never one to shy away from hard work, he was always helping his children and his neighbors with home projects such as roofing, electrical, plumbing, and finishing basements. To him it was just second nature. He could often be seen riding his bike, or John Deere lawn tractor. He was always willing to help those who needed it. He was always the first person we called when we needed to figure out how to fix something. He taught us well.
Neal loved his family, and found special joy in watching his children and grandchildren excel in life, sports, and school.
In recent years, Neal celebrated his grandsons Connor and Austin’s high school, and college graduations, his granddaughter Taylor’s theatre performances, and her recent high school graduation. He loved watching and hearing about his granddaughter Kendall’s success on the basketball court.
The last year was one that we didn’t think we would have. We thank God for the extra time, the memories made, and the love that was shared.
We are so grateful that Neal was able to attend the weddings of his son Chris in 2018, and his grandson Connor in 2017.
The family would also like to thank the many medical professionals who took such wonderful care of Neal at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital in Lansing, and McLaren Hospice.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Janet, daughter Ann (Tom) Flynn of Grand Rapids, MI, son Chris (Britt) Harmon of Bloomington, IN, grandsons Connor (Shelby) Flynn of Belleveue, PA, Austin Flynn of Okemos, MI, granddaughters Taylor and Kendall Harmon of Bloomington, IN, brother William Harmon of Barstow, CA and sister Eleanor Marazita of Winston-Salem, NC , many nieces, nephews and special friends.
Neal E. Harmon will be forever held in our hearts. We will be celebrating his life on Saturday, October 19, 2019, 11:00 am at St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River Ave, Okemos, MI, in the conference room on the outside of the church. We will remember and celebrate a life lived to the fullest. Please join us and feel free to share your favorite memories as well.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of Neal’s favorite charities such as Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN (rileychildrens.org), Hospitality House at McLaren Flint G-3170 Beecher Road Flint, MI 48532 or Habitat for Humanity (Habitat.org) or a charity or your choice in his memory.
DONATIONS
Hospitality House at McLaren FlintG-3170 Beecher Road, Flint, Michigan 48532
Habitat for Humanity1941 Benjamin Dr, Lansing, Michigan 48906
Riley Children's Hospital30 S Meridian St, Suite 200, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
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