Howard Harman

Howard Harman, 89, of Keokuk, died at 12:05 AM, Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at Keokuk Area Hospital. He was born on February 15, 1920 in Montrose, Iowa, the son of Mainard and Mary Heiser Harman. He married Alice Kennedy on December 25, 1941, in Kahoka, Missouri, during a terrible blizzard. She survives. They had just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on December 25, 2009. Theirs was a very happy, loving union committed to each other always. From this union came three daughters, Jo (Bob) Gillman of Bettendorf, Iowa, Sharon (Chris Runyon) Sheffler of Ogallala, Nebraska, and Becky (Mark) Sowers of Warsaw, Illinois; and five grandchildren, Steve (Denise) Burwinkle, Nicole (Chad) Wendler, Daniele (Jon) Vollbracht, Scott (Brianna) Miller, and Joshua (Elizabeth) Miller. He is also survived by fifteen great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mainard and Mary; a brother, James Harman; two sisters, Fern Bagley and Frances Haase. He served in the Army Air Corps as a crew chief from 1941 to 1945. He was a former Keokuk Police Officer and served two terms as Chief of Police. He was always admired for his calm attitude and his...[more]

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nesty and fairness. He will be remembered and forever loved for his love and dedication to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He also had Harman Body Shop for many years. He made sure that each daughter had a car at age 16 after visiting local junk yards and putting a car together. He would say, "It may not look like much but it runs good." He belonged to the Association of Peace Officers and Chiefs of Police, the Lions Club, Elks Club, and was a life member of the American Legion. Services were Monday, February 15, 2010 (his 90th birthday) at 10:00 AM at DeJong's Funeral Home with Rev. John Tyler officiating. Burial followed with full Military Honors at Keokuk National Cemetery. He was also honored with a salute and ringing of the bell at the Keokuk Police station. Memorials may be made to Keokuk Police Department Angel Program or to St. Paul United Church of Christ.