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Michael Harshbarger

September 12, 1942 - April 4, 2012
Kankakee, IL

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Visitation

Tuesday, April 10, 2012
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CDT
Schreffler Funeral Homes
Bourbonnais Location
1100 N. Convent St.
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
(815) 932-2421
Driving Directions

Service

Tuesday, April 10, 2012
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM CDT
Schreffler Funeral Homes
Bourbonnais Location
1100 N. Convent St.
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
(815) 932-2421
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Bourbonnais Fire Department

St Pauls Episcopal Church
298 S. Harrison
Kankakee, IL 60901

Life Story / Obituary


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Michael came into the world on September 12, 1942. His proud parents were James Lyle and Karma Lee (Vaughan) Harshbarger. Although Michael was an only child, he looked on his Aunt Ava as an older sister (Ava lived with the Harshbarger family). As a young boy, one of Michael’s favorite hobbies was raising animals.

Michael was always had a lot of mechanical aptitude, and during his high school years he got interested in automobiles. He and his good friend, Jim Larson, spent many hours fixing up cars in their free time. In the summers, he was a “river rat,” spending as much time as he could boating and skiing on the Kankakee River. Michael also volunteered on the River Patrol, an early indication of his talent for public service.

After high school, Michael decided to serve his country by joining the Navy.

On April 26, 1965, Michael married the love of his life, Ellen Bertrand. Michael earned a living as a member of the Bourbonnais Fire Department. He entered the rank and file as a fire fighter in December of 1969, and his reliable, dedicated service led to steady promotions in the years to come. In 1972, he became the Chief Engineer; in 1978, the Lieutenant; in 1983, the Captain; and in 1990, the Assistant Chief. Finally, in 1995 Michael was honored by his appointment to the post of Fire Chief, a position he held for five years.

In addition to his service in the fire department, Michael was active in the Elks Lodge. In this organization, he has held the titles of Exalted Ruler and district deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. Michael also had a strong religious faith, and was a senior warden at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. In his free time, Michael could often be found in his woodshop – he did beautiful wood-working. At heart Michael was still a “river rat,” and when he had the chance he loved escaping to Crane Lake in Minnesota, where he boated and skied.

Responsible, kind-hearted, and dedicated, Michael spent countless hours serving his community and helping his friends. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Michael Harshbarger died on April 4, 2012, at the age of sixty-nine. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; his aunts, Doris Harshbarger of Illinois and Ava Reed of Springfield, IL; his cousins, including Cheryl O’Connell of Bloomington, IL; his sisters-in-law, Janice and Arlen Speckman of Kankakee, IL and Patrece Colburn of St. Pete Beach, FL; three nephews; and two dear friends, Andy and Ruth Milwid of Dadeville, AL, and Linda Lou Regnier of Bourbonnais, IL.

A gathering of friends and family will be on Tuesday, April 10, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Father Israel Anchan will officiate at the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home, Bourbonnais Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials are for the Bourbonnais Fire Department or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church are appreciated. Please visit Michael’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.

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