1947
Dean
2010
Dean Harmon
July 11, 1947 — October 30, 2010
Eben Junction
Ross Dean Harmon, age 63, of Eben died early Saturday morning, October 30, 2010 at home with his loving wife Judi and dog Sparky at his side. He was born on July 11, 1947 in Flint, MI to Alice (Swenson) and Donald G. Harmon. Dean grew up in the Greenbush, MI area and attended Oscoda schools. Dean married Judi (Kusmirek) Marsh on November 2, 1998 in Munising. Dean loved hunting, fishing, horses, and growing his "whopper" garden where he specialized in peppers and tomatoes weighing in at over two pounds. He enjoyed cooking, especially for large groups, making his specialty lasagna or barbecuing. He found great joy in teaching his special traits of building and playing the guitar. Dean learned how to play the guitar at six years old. Most recently you would have seen him having fun at open mic night at the Chatham Pub, but he had once played back up for Chet Atkins at the Grand Ole Opry. Dean worked for The United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union, Local 687, in Detroit and retired in 2006. He worked local builds at Harbor View in Munising, Lost Creek in Marquette, NMU, the Silver Dome, many GM facilities and numerous commercial builds in southeast Michigan. For twenty-five years he built displays at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and helped re-build in Gulf Shores, AL after Hurricane Katrina.
Dean is survived by his wife of twelve years, Judi (Kusmirek) Marsh of Eben; sons Richard Smith of Brandford, PA and Kevin (Theresa) Smith of Oxford, MI; step-children Tracy (Johan) DeJong of Cumming, GA, Danielle (Jon) Bennett-Starr of Marquette and Perry Bennett of Phoenix, AZ; Grandchildren Courtney Smith, Brittany Lindquist, Areanna Bennett, Laila DeJong, Senna DeJong and Brooke Starr; brother Ralph Harmon of Alpena, MI and Donald (Robin) Harmon of Waterford, MI; brothers and sisters-in-law Tom Kusmirek, Stanley (Skip) Kusmirek, Kathi (Murray) Donnelly, and Barbara Hoos; mother-in-law Corrine (Connie) Rendina, Vero Beach, FL; several nieces and nephews; special friends Gary Martin of Greenbush, Mi and Joe Roop of Eben, MI; his trusty Bichon Frise Sparky and faithful cat Kidders. Dean was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Alice, and in-laws Stanley and Dorothy Kusmirek. In lieu of flowers memorials and donations may be made to the Alger County Animal Shelter. Judi also wishes to thank Northwoods Home Hospice for there care and support these last few months.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Ross Dean Harmon, age 63, of Eben died early Saturday morning, October 30, 2010 at home with his loving wife Judi and dog Sparky at his side. He was born on July 11, 1947 in Flint, MI to Alice (Swenson) and Donald G. Harmon. Dean grew up in the Greenbush, MI area and attended Oscoda schools. Dean married Judi (Kusmirek) Marsh on November 2, 1998 in Munising. Dean loved hunting, fishing, horses, and growing his "whopper" garden where he specialized in peppers and tomatoes weighing in at over two pounds. He enjoyed cooking, especially for large groups, making his specialty lasagna or barbecuing. He found great joy in teaching his special traits of building and playing the guitar. Dean learned how to play the guitar at six years old. Most recently you would have seen him having fun at open mic night at the Chatham Pub, but he had once played back up for Chet Atkins at the Grand Ole Opry. Dean worked for The United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union, Local 687, in Detroit and retired in 2006. He worked local builds at Harbor View in Munising, Lost Creek in Marquette, NMU, the Silver Dome, many GM facilities and numerous commercial builds in southeast Michigan. For twenty-five years he built displays at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and helped re-build in Gulf Shores, AL after Hurricane Katrina.
Dean is survived by his wife of twelve years, Judi (Kusmirek) Marsh of Eben; sons Richard Smith of Brandford, PA and Kevin (Theresa) Smith of Oxford, MI; step-children Tracy (Johan) DeJong of Cumming, GA, Danielle (Jon) Bennett-Starr of Marquette and Perry Bennett of Phoenix, AZ; Grandchildren Courtney Smith, Brittany Lindquist, Areanna Bennett, Laila DeJong, Senna DeJong and Brooke Starr; brother Ralph Harmon of Alpena, MI and Donald (Robin) Harmon of Waterford, MI; brothers and sisters-in-law Tom Kusmirek, Stanley (Skip) Kusmirek, Kathi (Murray) Donnelly, and Barbara Hoos; mother-in-law Corrine (Connie) Rendina, Vero Beach, FL; several nieces and nephews; special friends Gary Martin of Greenbush, Mi and Joe Roop of Eben, MI; his trusty Bichon Frise Sparky and faithful cat Kidders. Dean was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Alice, and in-laws Stanley and Dorothy Kusmirek. In lieu of flowers memorials and donations may be made to the Alger County Animal Shelter. Judi also wishes to thank Northwoods Home Hospice for there care and support these last few months.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
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