Suzie Salonen

DANVILLE - Suzie Harmon Salonen, 66, of Tell City, Ind., formerly of Danville, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday (Sept. 7, 2025) following a lengthy struggle with cancer.

She was born on April 19, 1959, in Elmhurst, daughter of the late Bill and Mary Ellen Harmon. Suzie grew up in New Orleans and Danville, attending St. Paul's Grade School and graduating from Schlarman.

Suzie worked for much of her adult life in various offices within Vermilion County government, including the circuit clerk's office and the county board office. She was the assistant to the county board chairman to five of those board chairs. In that position, she managed the county board office for about 15 years. She cherished the myriad of friendships she developed while serving in county government. She often reminisced about the many colorful and hilarious stories from behind the scenes that occurred with judges, lawyers, elected officials and their staffs, the county board office staff, the sheriff's office, deputies, etc. In 2008, she accepted the office and business manager's position at the Vermilion Regional Airport. Over the decade-plus she worked there, she developed dozens more friendships with tenants, business owners, numerous officials with the State Department of Aeronautics and the FAA. She especially loved the airport maintenance staff and her bosses, airport managers, Bob Gagnon and Mike Vadeboncoeur. Suzie retired in 2019.

Suzie married Dale Salonen in 2015. They relocated to Tell City in 2020 after finding Southern Indiana an ideal area to retire. Suzie's life was devoted to her family and friends, as well as camping, traveling and boating. She organized many dinners and family gatherings and was always the spitfire center of every party. She could be heard a mile away.

In addition to her parents, Suzie was preceded in death by one brother, Jack Harmon; and two sisters, Anne Harmon and Peggy Johnson.

Suzie is survived by her husband, Dale; son, Jason Atwood; daughter-in-law, Daphne Atwood; beloved granddaughter, Rowan Atwood; and three brothers, Pat (Patti) Harmon of Brandon, Miss., Mike Harmon of Tell City and Tom Harmon of Ocean Springs, Miss. In addition, she is survived by a large and close-knit extended family, including gobs of cousins, nieces and nephews. Very special friends include Marla Russell, Sue Harden and a group of five special women who have grown closer by the year since high school at Schlarman and DHS. Including Suzie, and named by Dale as the Six Pack, they are Demme Eaglen, Karen Patterson, Karen Smith, Mary Dae Haas and Sharon Kramer.

A celebration of Suzie's life will take place at the Danville Boat Club on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Memorial donations are encouraged to the Vermilion County Animal Shelter. Condolences may be left at zoercher-gillickfuneralhome.com.