Born February 9, 1933 in Delavan to James William and Anna Wilhelmina (Fink) Flairty, he married Beverly B. Williams on January 6, 1956 in Pekin. She survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Denise (Ed) Martin of Havana, Kimberly (Jim) Prince of Marquette Heights and Lisa (Tom) Gilfillan of Peoria; seven grandchildren, Sarah (Jim) Goebel of Chillicothe, Ian (Sarah) Martin of Pekin, Michael (Dana) Martin of Oregon, Cortney (Kenny) VanHouten of Canton, Seth (Jackie) Prince of Ocala, Florida, Roslyn (Jared) Williams of Delavan and Justine (Scott) Craft of Worthington, Kentucky and seventeen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, John Flairty, William Flairty, Henry Flairty, Joseph Flairty, David Flairty and James Flairty and four sisters, Margaret Burns, Lulu Diegel, Mabel Rowel and Dorothy Kamp.
A 1951 graduate of Green Valley High School, he was a United States Army veteran.
He worked for Keystone Steel & Wire Company in Pekin for 40 years as a maintenance man, retiring in 1995. He also had worked for Leo’s TV as a delivery man during the 1960s.
Harlan was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Pekin. He was a member of the Independent Steel Workers Alliance and a former member of the Good Fellows Club at Keystone.
He enjoyed reading and was focused on spending time with his family. He also remodeled homes and was known to tinker.
His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Bethel Baptist Church in Pekin. Pastor Steven M. Rowell, Sr. will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Green Valley Cemetery, with military rites accorded by the United States Army and Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 2720 Broadway, Pekin, IL 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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