Mary J. Harmon

Mary Harmon, of Mikado, passed away on Monday, February 3rd at home, surrounded by family. 

Born January 18, 1949 in Mikado, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Genevieve (Waszkiewicz) Reames. She married Charles Harmon, Jr on January 22, 1966 in Mikado, where they were lifelong residents. Mary’s education was in accounting, which she used in the logging (Harmon Logging, Inc) and apiary (Harmony Acres) businesses she and her husband owned and ran. Along with their entrepreneurial endeavors, Mary was an activist for the Timber Industry and management of the forest as a renewable natural resource. She served as the Executive Director for the Michigan Forest Resource Alliance (MFRA) for a number of years where she worked on forestry education and spoke as a representative of the industry on both the state and federal levels. She was active in her church and served her community as an active 4-H leader and Mikado Township Supervisor.

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Chuck; son, Greg (Anne) Harmon of Mikado, MI along with grandchildren Kyle (Jessica) Harmon of Mikado, MI and Brooke Harmon of Oscoda, MI; siblings David (Marcia) Reames of Temperance, MI, Alan (Debbie) Reames of Charlotte, MI, Sally (Ray) Gingrich of Midland, MI and many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, David Harmon and brother, Richard Reames.

Mary was a strong and warm person whose family and community were very important. As an avid master gardener, she and Chuck enjoyed their retirement years spending time working in their flower and vegetable gardens along with mornings and evenings on the deck overlooking their orchard and pond enjoying the wildlife.

The family would like to thank the kind and compassionate care givers from Compassus Hospice in Alpena that were a blessing and great help during Mary’s last few months.

Per her wishes, cremation arrangements have been made by Gillies Funeral Home, with a celebration of life service to follow in the future date.  Memorial donations are suggested to Compassus Hospice.