Harold Ira Monroe

Harold Ira Monroe Lake City Harold Ira Monroe passed away Monday, December 6, 2010 at Mercy Hospital in Cadillac. He was 83. He was born on January 26, 1927 in Midland County, Michigan to Shelby and Clara (Johns) Monroe. He served in the U.S. Navy during 1945-46 and later worked as a private contractor in Mechanical Engineering/Drafting for Dow Chemical Co. Harold was a man of many talents including wood carving, oil painting, gardening and leather work. He also spent several years rock/gem hunting, digging, cutting, polishing and making jewelry. But he was best known for his country music fiddling, beginning at age ten, when he learned to play a violin his mother had earned for her work as a seamstress. He attended the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lake City, was a very active member of the Lake City Senior Center, and an honorary member of the Merritt Golden Agers. Harold was a loving, devoted husband and family man and he will be missed by everyone who knew him. Harold is survived by his wife of nine years, Ila (Berry) and her children, Kay (Mel, Jr.) Wagner of Lake City, Joy (Steve) Leland of Lansing and Tim (Kim) Berry of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Stephanie (Kirk) Guthaus of Lansing, Twilight Wagner of Lake City and Allison Berry of Eaton Rapids; great-granddaughters, Ivori Leland and Krysten Guthaus of Lansing. Also several step grand and great grandchildren. Harold is also survived by siblings, Loretta (Bob) Rydman of Coleman, Ila (Frank) Ezop of Frankemuth, Ira (Denise) Monroe of North Branch, Betty Ferren of Sarasota, FL, and Jean Bond of Pinconning. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 9, 2010 at the Young Funeral Home, with Reverend Donald VanDyke officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that contributions be made to: Lake City Senior Center, Merritt Golden Agers or Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lake City. Burial will be in the Windsor Township Cemetery in Dimondale, Michigan. To send a condolence to the family, please visit www.youngfuneral.com.