Harlan W. Harmelink

Harlan W. Harmelink, 86, passed away at his Sheboygan home Wednesday, November 27, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Harlan was born June 15, 1938 in Cedar Grove, the son of Harvey and Ellen (Nonhof) Harmelink. He graduated from Cedar Grove High School in 1956, and went on to study at Lakeland. He later served his country in the United States Army on the Marshall Islands from 1957-1959, participating in Operation Hardtack (a series of 35 nuclear tests conducted by the US) and assisting the Chaplain.

Harlan was united in marriage with Nancy Churchill on September 4, 1959 at Calvary OPC in Cedar Grove. Nancy’s father, Rev. Robert K. Churchill officiated. 

Harlan worked for many years as a furniture salesman, and later worked as a bus driver for Sheboygan Transit for over 30 years. He loved people and getting to know his passengers, who loved him back. 

A founding member of Grace OPC, Harlan had participated in the Men’s Bible Study, served on the building committee and taught Sunday school. He and Nancy looked forward to socializing at their Hardee’s Coffee Clutch. An avid Packer fan, Harlan enjoyed gardening, reading, music and singing. A decedent of the Phoenix shipwreck, Harlan took great interest in studying his genealogy. He looked forward to the Harmelink cousin gatherings, and excelled at “Dutch bingo”.

Harlan is survived by his wife Nancy and his children: John (Amy) Harmelink, Gail (Joel) Moody, Sandra (Chris) Kaeiser and Amy (Paul) Marxkors; grandchildren: Jennifer (Nate) Bichler, Joshua (Andrea) Harmelink, Ross Taggart, Rebecca (Jared) Oliver, Robert (Cecilia) Taggart, Rachel (Maxwell) Brink, Megan, Mason and Alison Marxkors, Eyob Kaeiser and Kyle (Kristen) Batkiewicz; great-grandchildren Will and Logan Bichler, Kendall and Jackson Harmelink, Grace Batkiewicz, Beckham Brink and Baby Taggart; sister-in-law Mary Flachs; brother-in-law Ralph VerVelde; foster children Teresa, Jerry, Crystal and RC; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his infant son Bruce Robert Harmelink, his parents Harvey and Ellen, step-father James Wisse; parents-in-law Robert and Dorothy Churchill, sisters Delores (Virgil) Nonhof, Marlyn (Roger) Raih and Elaine Harmelink, sister-in-law Cathy (Norman) Smies VerVelde and brother-in-law Jerald Flachs. 

A Memorial Service celebrating Harlan’s life will be held at 1:00PM on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at Grace OPC, 4930 Green Valley Lane in Sheboygan. Full military honors will follow at church. All are welcome to watch a livestream of the funeral on Harlan’s obituary page at www.wenigfh.com . The family will receive visitors at the church on Tuesday from 11:00AM-1:00PM. He will be laid to rest at Presbyterian Cemetery in Cedar Grove. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Ronald McDonald House in Marshfield or the Grace OPC Building Fund. 

The family would like to thank Aurora Hospice Care, especially Courtney, Megan and Jon, for their loving and compassionate care.

The Wenig Funeral Home – Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolences.