Dr. Mark Peter Harmeling

Dr. Mark Peter Harmeling, originally from Hingham, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on November 25, 2024, in Camarillo, California. His wife, Miriam Carolyn Bryant Harmeling, 94, upon hearing of his death, followed her husband of 70 years into the arms of Jesus the next day, November 26, 2024.

Dr. Harmeling was born in Hingham, Wisconsin on February 23, 1932 to Everett and Jeanette Swart Harmeling. He graduated from Oostburg High School, Class of 1949, then Wheaton College, Illinois in 1953. After a year of Bible courses at Columbia Bible College in South Carolina with the thought of going into mission work, he was accepted to Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago and later went on to specialize in Orthopedic Surgery. He met his future wife, Miriam Bryant from Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Columbia and they were married July 30, 1954. Miriam was born August 9, 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia to Asbury and Dorothy Golson Bryant.

Dr. Harmeling practiced as an orthopedic surgeon, mainly in Southern California. He and Miriam raised three children, Jean (Christopher) Stephenson, Lynn (Bryan) Badgett, and Jim (Jacqui Bishop) who survive them. Miriam was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. She loved tracing her family history and genealogy and became a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy as well as Daughters of the American Revolution. 

In later years, Mark and Miriam loved travelling abroad as well as Stateside in their motor home. Mark's interest in clocks stemmed from his Uncle John Swart's expertise at making clock cabinets. He not only collected clocks, but fixed them, and in retirement was known as "The Clock Doc."

Dr. Harmeling was involved in church leadership at home and both he and Miriam had a lifelong interest in supporting overseas mission work. Their son, Jim, and his wife, have been active missionaries in Southeast Asia.

In addition to their children, Mark and Miriam are survived by ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They are the last of all their siblings on both sides. Mark was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Edward Harmeling of Oostburg and Mary Sue Veenendaal of Sheboygan Falls. Miriam was preceded by her parents and her siblings, Evelyn Campbell of Nashville and Lawrence Bryant of Chattanooga.

A celebration of life memorial service was held recently on 11th January at Pleasant Valley Bible Church in Camarillo, California. Their final resting place will be in Hingham Cemetery with interment scheduled at 11:00 am on Friday, the 11th April, 2025.

Anyone wishing to honor Mark and Miriam’s heart for missions are asked to contribute in their name to Agape Children’s Ministries, P.O. Box 576645, Modesto, CA 95357-6645 /www.agapechildren.org