Obituaries
Obituary for Edmund F. Harmon
Peoria- Edmund F. Harmon, age 91, of Peoria, passed away on January 16, 2022 at his residence,
Edmund was born on the family farm of Monica, IL, on Oct. 15, 1930. His parents were James Leo & Mary Jane "Marie" Noonen Harmon. He considered those early years on the farm as the perfect place to grow up and he treasured the memories made there. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Jim, Jim's wife Bonnie, his brothers Bill and Pat, and his sister Jeanne and her husband John Ferguson. His younger sister, Mary Sheila Harmon Sasso survives although her husband Michael Sasso passed in December 2017. His siblings and his surviving sisters in law, Joyce and Margaret, left him with 22 living nieces and nephews. Nephew Tom Harmon also preceded him.
Also left to grieve are his wife and the mother of his three children, Mary Hayter Harmon of GA, his daughter Cathy Harmon Christian of GA, and his son Ed, wife Cheryl, Harmon of CA, as well as three grandchildren, Niles Clipson, Brandon Harmon and Ryan Harmon.
For 35 years Ed was the sole caregiver 24/7/365 for his youngest son Kevin Harmon after Kevin was paralyzed in an accident after his high school graduation. Kevin passed away Feb. 21, 2021.
Ed had practiced law in the state of Illinois after attending Princeville high school, St. Ambrose College, and the Univ. of Illinois law school. He was honorably discharged after serving in the U.S. Army. He held positions as the Assistant State's Attorney in Rockford, IL, and as City Attorney in Joliet, IL, before entering private practice.
Growing up, Ed was active in sports in high school and in college as well as taking part in many other activities. He had played the saxophone and he read extensively. After he lost an eye, he still maintained an interest in family, sports and community and continued to collect books and read extensively. However, after Kevin's accident, Ed gave up his outside activities to care for Kevin. They then shared interests in family, in the world, in history, and in acquiring knowledge about all things. Ed encouraged Kevin to write two novels, to foster his friendships with friends and family and Kevin became an inspiration to all who met him. They lived as fully as their limitations allowed, and are now reunited in peace forever.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 10:30 AM at St. Thomas Catholic Church with visitation being held one hour prior to mass. A luncheon will immediately follow after mass in the parish hall. Msgr. Jason Gray will officiate and burial of ashes will follow at a later date next to Kevin at St. Mary of the Woods Cemetery in Princeville, IL.
Memorials in Ed’s memory may be made to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at www.themiamiproject.org.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
29
Jan
9:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Memorial Mass
Saturday
29
Jan
10:30 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Memorial Contribution
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
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