Thomas Emerson Harkness

Thomas Harkness, age 81, of Edmore, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home surrounded by family on Monday, January 30, 2023.

Tom proudly served his country as a member of the US Navy. He was also a volunteer firefighter for Eureka Township for over 18 years, a construction worker, and retired from Greenville Public Schools after a 25 year career as a maintenance technician. Tom was always proud of his hard work ethic and his accomplishments, but also always maintained a great sense of humbleness. His largest accomplishment and probably the thing he was most proud of was his home, which he built with materials provided and collected from his property with help from close family and friends.

Tom touched many because he was a man's man--straight and honest, with a personality built on common sense and good brains. He used his God-given intelligence to make people around him comfortable. Tom recalled his personal experiences with such detail and good humor that he left everyone smiling and laughing. He was one-of-a-kind. Tom had a large passion for anything to do with the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, cutting wood, and tending to his garden. He spent the majority of his time outside and searched for anything he could fix.

He was incredibly proud of his grandchildren and loved to brag about their accomplishments to all his friends. More than bragging about them, he enjoyed going to as many of their events as possible and supporting their achievements.

Tom will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

We love you more.

Tom is survived by his lovely bride of 58 years, Patsy Harkness; his two sons, Trever (Tami) Harkness and Tyler (Carrie) Harkness; four grandchildren, Keegen (Kylie) Harkness, Gage Harkness, Keeleigh Harkness, and Taylor Harkness. Tom was also very excited about his future great grandbaby. He is also survived by sisters, Mary (Jim) Brown and Audrey (John) Jorgensen; and his brother Ed (Kimberly) Harkness.

He was preceded in death by father, Emerson Harkness; mother, Ellen Harkness, father-in-law and -in-law, Marshall and Alice Belcher; two sisters and their husbands, Wynetta (Ronald) Edgerly and Betty (Keith) Sanderson.

A celebration of Tom's life is being planned for a later date.

For those wanting to make a donation in Tom's memory the family suggests you direct them to either the Belvidere Veterans Memorial Park, to help create and establish a maintenance fund, or Montcalm County 4-H.

To leave an online condolence or share a favorite memory of Tom, please go to www.SimpsonFamilyFuneralHomes.com.