Individual Details

Death

Ivan Harmon, 78, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday Jan. 6, 2013, in Herrin Hospital under Passages Hospice care with loving friends and family by his side. Ivan was a member of First United Methodist Church in Herrin. He was born Feb. 11,1934, in Herrin, the son of Frank and Effie (Ford) Harmon. He graduated from Herrin High School in 1952 and then enlisted into the U.S. Air Force, where he spent one year stateside and then three years at Haun Air Force Base in Germany under squadron leader Charles “Chuck” Yeager. Ivan truly enjoyed his time in the Air Force serving his country, and he was a member of Herrin VFW Post 1567. Upon completion of his time in the service, he graduated from SIU Vocational Tech. He was an accomplished, retired plumber and pipefitter with Local 551 and was awarded his 50-year pin two years ago. He owned and operated his own plumbing and heating business for more than 40 years before going to work for more than 10 years with the local hall, where he enjoyed the time working with his friends the most. He was an avid deer and waterfowl hunter and also enjoyed spending time fishing, but most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Maxine (Richey) Harmon; daughter, Kerri Jeralds and husband, Tom; special son and family, Joe B. and wife, Lesley Restivo, including three grandchildren, “the light of his life,” Adam, Morgan and Delaney Restivo; one brother-in- law, J.C. Sherrard; special beloved niece, Candace (Sherrard) and husband, Joe Strong, with children Codey Strong and Hanna Brown, Corey and Liz Strong; special beloved nephew, Randy and wife Kara, with son Brent Sherrard; nephew, Joe Harmon and family; great-nephew, Dustin Harmon and family; one aunt, Ruby Law; and many nieces and nephews-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents; youngest daughter, Kimberly, in 1982; infant grandson, Patrick Anthony in 1986; one brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Fay Harmon; one niece, Toni (Harmon) Dallas; two brothers-in-law; and six sisters-in-law. Services will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, in Van Natta Funeral Home in Herrin with the Rev. Ed Hoke and the Rev. Don Colson officiating. Military rites will be provided by the National Guard and local VFW. In lieu of flowers, donations are respectfully requested to one of the following: Passages Hospice, American Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Association or American Lung Association.
Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, Illinois, January 8, 2013