Marie Juanita Harmon

Marie Juanita Harmon, 90, of Springfield, passed away February 1, 2026. She was born October 31, 1935 in Van Wert, IA to Ethel and Carl Erickson. When Marie was a few months old, her mother died. Already supporting seven other children, Carl gave Marie to close family friends Wilma and William Fry. Although she was never officially adopted, they raised her as their own and in time they welcomed into their family two boys, Gale and Gary. This is why Marie often said, "I'm the youngest of eight and the oldest of three."

Marie married Gordon Harmon in Creston, IA on July 18, 1954. They pastored many churches during their marriage, and while pastoring in Dalton, NE they became parents to their only child, Doug.

During Gordon's career with H&R Block, he was transferred to Wyoming, where Marie worked at the State Department of Game and Fish, which she enjoyed tremendously.

When Doug was in High School, she and Gordon traveled the country with him and their exchange student son, Tomas, who called Marie "Mem." They loved showing Tomas the beauty of America.

While Marie was a stay at home mom for most of Doug's childhood, she continued her education at Platte College in Columbus, NE and graduated along with her son in May of 1983.

While Gordon was a descendant of many historical people, including the Pennocks of Pennsylvania and mountain man James Clyman, Marie also claimed some ancestors of note. On her mother's side, the Coreys, she is related to Bachelor Bess, a single woman who created a life for herself during the settling of the West, and Giles Corey, accused of witchcraft and executed during the 1692 witchcraft hysteria in Massachusetts.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings Margaret, Beverly, Betty, Jenny, Fred, Ed, Earl, Gale and Gary.

Marie is survived by her son, Doug (Lynne) Harmon; granddaughters Kristin (Jason) Webber and Erin (Cory) Tapia; three great-grandchildren, Athena, Braden and Jackson and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation for Marie will be held Friday, February 13, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral Service will follow at 9:30 AM in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.