In loving memory of

Harvey G. Vermillion
January 27, 1928 - January 13, 2015

Harvey Gene Vermillion, son of Lewis and Cecil (Porter) Vermillion, was born on January 27, 1928 in Locust Grove Township, Farragut, Iowa. He passed away January 13, 2015 in Red Oak, Iowa. He was 86 years old.

Harvey was born in rural Farragut, Iowa, and attended high school in Shenandoah. After graduation, he served for two years in the US Army and then returned home. He was married to Betty Jean Goodell on June 6, 1952, in Randolph, Iowa. They had three children: Mark, Mike, and Janette. Harvey and Betty spent all of their lives in the Shenandoah area where they enjoyed 45 years together until her passing in 1997.

Harvey spent over 50 years operating a bulk fuel delivery service and was the owner of the local DX service station. The station also doubled as a meeting location for many of his friends. Harvey was known to all as Hound Dog. He was a member of the local band the "Hay Shakers" with Don Stripe, Don and David Owens, Charlie Ingram, Sam Irvin, Gary Gullen, and others. His musical career began in 1975 in Bill Miller's truck shed where he conducted jam sessions. The Hay Shakers was formed as a result of those sessions and performed for many years all over southwest Iowa. Harvey loved to play and sing many of the old George Jones and Hank Williams songs. Harvey also enjoyed camping and boating at Viking Lake and Big Lake State Parks. Besides his music, he had a great love for his grandchildren. In his later years, he enjoyed gardening, always sharing his produce with others. He did most of his "cooking" at the Depot Deli where he was known to have a piece of pie or a bowl of ice cream. He spent the last year of his life at Red Oak Health Care where he was visited by many of his friends and family. He was always grateful to his loyal friends and customers who supported him over his many years. Harvey was a member of the Elks Lodge No. 1122 and the Eagles AERIE No. 3849.

Harvey was preceded in death by his wife: Betty Vermillion; grandson: Trevor Vermillion; parents: Lewis and Cecil Vermillion; sister: Udell Andrew and her husband Bill and brother: Forest "Dean" Vermillion.

Those left to cherish his memory include; sons: Mark Vermillion and wife Anne of Red Oak, IA, and Mike Vermillion and wife Jan of Council Bluffs, IA; daughter: Marcia Janette of Shenandoah, IA; grandchildren: Ashley of Omaha, NE, Tyler and Magdalena of Fort Riley, KS, Molly of Council Bluffs, IA, and Matt of Ames, IA; step-grandchildren: George, Gilman and Augustus Cooper of Red Oak, IA; sister: Iva Lee Taylor and husband Jerome of Chicago, IL; brother: Porter Vermillion and wife Gladys of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law: Margaret Vermillion of Carroll, IA; brother-in-law: Charles Goodell and wife Doris of Omaha, NE; numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to American Red Cross Military Aid or May Mentoring.

Burial will be held at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.

Tributes

Jan Knowles wrote on Jan 30, 2015:

"Mike, condolences from all your friends in Aurora. May you find peace. Jan Knowles "

Smyzer wrote on Jan 30, 2015:

"Michael - thinking of you during this time. Reading your father's obit tells me more than anything why you turned out the way you did - you should be proud of that, and I know you are. I wish I had known him personally. Thinking of you and your family during this trying time. "

Scott Risch wrote on Jan 29, 2015:

"Peace to you and your family."

Steve Short wrote on Jan 29, 2015:

" From the entire Raytheon site in Omaha our prayers and thoughts go out to the family. "

Steven Albracht wrote on Jan 29, 2015:

"To Mike and all of your family, I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you."

Debra Veldhuis wrote on Jan 29, 2015:

"I am so sorry for your loss your father was a wonderful man and I know he will be missed - you are in my heart and prayers. I know it is hard to loose a parent. Friends always Deb"

Donna Bopp wrote on Jan 19, 2015:

"Thoughts and prayers to the family. Harvy was a special man and always enjoyed being around him. You always knew where you stood with him there was no grey in his life. a special guy with a big heart. "

Barb Martin wrote on Jan 19, 2015:

"I am so sorry for your loss. Harvey was sucn a nice man. You are in my thoughts and prayers"

Sandra Hamilton Crowdes wrote on Jan 15, 2015:

"Mark, Mike and Jeanette, I'm sooo sorry for your loss. Harvey was a great man. I have so many memories of your parents. They were such a major part of my childhood, from spending Saturday evenings at each other's houses while our moms shopped and then our dads went out for "sandwiches". Took me years to figure out why it took 2 hours to go get a sandwich! I'm thinking that right about now that my dad and Harvey are trying their hand at home brew again. Or swapping stories about the Blue Spur and Jerry's Tavern. Rest in peace, Harvey. We're all going to miss you."

Barbara Cunningham wrote on Jan 15, 2015:

"My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Harvey left good memories with many."

Jane Foster wrote on Jan 15, 2015:

"To the family of Harvey, My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I thought a lot of your parents and enjoyed being in groups with them. Mark, you and Bruce might have memories to share, too with the Boy Scouts outings. May God grant you Peace and Comfort. God's Blessings! "

Melisa & Larry Forbes wrote on Jan 15, 2015:

"Dear Ashley, Tyler and Maggie Blessings to you all in this time of sorrow. May the memories of your grandfather stay near and dear to your hearts. I have to tell you that I grew up in the United Methodist Church in Shenandoah and Harvey and Betty were one of the balcony dwellers as were the Teachout family. I have fond memories of seeing them every Sunday. Also, Harvey & the Hayshakers played at our wedding reception back in 1983 ð??? Love Aunt Mel & Uncle Lar"