Harvey Darling

Harvey P. Darling, age 91, of Ovid, MI passed away peacefully at home on February 21, 2015. Harvey was a vibrant citizen, local businessman and civic leader of Ovid for nearly all his life. He was the eldest son of Vern and Gladys (Thompson) Darling. Drafted at eighteen, Harvey served for almost three years as head electrician with the 233rd Army Engineer Combat Division in the Pacific theater during World War II. His division was tasked with building roads and supplying equipment to the Marines and infantry units seeking to recapture Japanese held Guam, Leyte in the Philippines and Okinawa, Japan.

After his return home, he married his wife, Doris (Pickering) Darling, originally of Flint, in 1947 and raised three children, Ronald, Pamela and Rosemary. He and his brother, Oliver, owned and operated Darling’s Inc., a hardware, electrical, plumbing and heating business in Ovid and Elsie until 1996.

Always active in the community, he served as a councilman and Ovid’s village president throughout the 1960’s, securing federal funding for the village’s first waste water management facility. He was also a volunteer fireman for thirty years. Harvey was a long standing member of the Masonic Lodge #105 of St. Johns-Ovid, the VFW #8964 of Ovid and the American Legion #502 of Elsie.

Even in the last year of his life, he was elected a trustee to the Ovid City Charter Commission, hoping to see his hometown achieve the status and benefits of a city. Along with Doris, his beloved wife of 63 years, he was also an active church member for the United Church of Ovid. He will be greatly missed by his family, who will always remember his dedication to service, his quiet optimism and his open heart.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Ronald Darling (Terry) of Florissant, MO, Pamela Tyner (Joseph) of Grafton, WI, and Rosemary Baese (Kirk) of Ovid, MI. He was a cherished grandfather to Ryan Baese (Jessica), Nicholas Darling (Erin), Breanna Baese Recker (Branden), and Kathryn Tyner Engler (Zachary), and great-grandfather to Jack Baese, Lucy Darling and Sadie Darling. He is also survived by his brother, Ivan Darling (Ruth) of Engadine, MI. He was predeceased by his wife, Doris, in 2010 and his brother, Oliver, in 2007.

The family would like to thank all the friends who have given so generously of their time to wish Harvey well, including the caring staff at Memorial Healthcare Hospice in Owosso for their kindness and compassion.

A gathering of family and friends will be held 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at the Houghton Chapel, 232 E. Oak Street, Ovid, MI 48866. To learn more about Harvey and view his Life Story film, visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/105936 .

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, February 26, 2015 at the United Church of Ovid, 131 W. Front Street, Ovid, MI 48866 with Pastor Paul Damkoehler officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Ovid-Elsie Community Fund or the United Church of Ovid are appreciated.