Joan Marie Harmon

Joan Marie Sharp-Harmon, age 87, of Bellevue, passed away March 6, 2024, at Thornapple Manor in Hastings. She was born July 21, 1936, in Eaton Rapids to Merle & Marvelle “Jessie” (Heisler) Sharp. Joan received her education in Olivet, graduating from Olivet High School with the class of ‘54. She married the love of her life, Joseph Harmon, on June 5, 1955 in Olivet.

It is hard to sum up Joan’s life in a few words. She was proud to be a homemaker and worked hard taking care of her family and chores on the farm. Joan also worked part time in the office helping farmers at Eaton County Farm Bureau. She loved to spend time outdoors and kept a tidy vegetable and flower garden every year. Joan was known for her cooking as well as being ruthless at playing Hand & Foot card game! She always took time to make sure her children succeeded in life and spent countless hours helping them with 4-H, girl scouts, and as a PTA room mother at Olivet Schools. Later in life Joan collected dolls and teapots. She was talented and creative with making crafts. Watching and listening to the many songbirds in her backyard brought her joy. She loved the Lord and attended Ainger Bible Church. Joan’s family remembers her as a very kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will be deeply missed.

Those surviving her are her husband of 68 years, Joseph; children, Sally (Carl) Fox of PA, Carla (Bill) Kanine of Petoskey, Thomas (Julie) Harmon of Olivet, Debra (Rex) Swank of Olivet; eight grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; siblings, Jane VanDriessche of Olivet, brother-in-law, Bill Mott of Battle Creek, Barbara (John) Henry of TN, sister-in-law, Joyce Sharp of Olivet, Mary (Richard) Midlam of Olivet; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Gene Sharp, Elaine Sharp, Ilene Mott, and Kenneth Sharp.

Funeral services will be held at Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 9, 2024, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Family will receive friends during a time of visitation for one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place after the funeral service at Bosworth Cemetery.

Those desiring may make contributions in Joan’s memory to:

Elara Caring Hospice Foundation, PO Box 58, Jackson, MI 49204

Visiting Angels in Charlotte, 338 S. Cochran Ave, Charlotte MI 48813

West Carmel Congregational Church, 5016 Carlisle Rd., Charlotte, MI 48813

The family is being served by the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral home.