Harold Charles Fildey

Harold (Hal) Charles Fildey, 86, went to his heavenly home on May 29, 2016 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was aided in the fight by his wife of 65 years, Ellen, and his sons (especially Steven). The family extends their gratitude to Kathy Bradley who assisted the family for more than five years and his niece Julie [Reed] Stewart who always made Hal’s favorite foods for him. Hal was born December 4, 1929 in St. Johns MI to Clifford and Lilia (Hewitt) Fildey. He graduated from Eastern High School in 1947 and won a University of Michigan Regents’ Alumni competitive scholarship. Hal joined the staff of the Lansing State Journal as a copy boy in 1948. Over the course of his 43 year career with the Journal Hal served as a photographer, reporter-photographer, rewriteman, columnist, assistant city editor/photo editor, Sunday editor, Director of Public Relations, Assistant to the Publisher and Executive Editor. Hal ended his career with the Journal in 1992 as the Managing Editor/Administration and Editorial Page Editor. As a columnist Hal started the Onlooker column on May 23, 1950 and wrote it until 1956. As the Director of Public Relations he served as co-chair of the 1959 Lansing Centennial celebration and was the director of the Greater Lansing Youth Talent Exhibit and Science Fair. During the course of his Journal career Hal had the opportunity to meet and/or interview people from all walks of life including Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Cash, Betty Ford and General Douglas MacArthur. Among the presidents he met and/or interviewed were Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. Hal served on several organizations associated with his chosen avocation. These organizations included the Michigan Press Association, Public Relations Association of Michigan (charter member and second president), American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Michigan Associated Press Managing Editors’ Association (board member and past president). Hal was also very active in the Lansing community and served on over 60 local, state and national boards and committees over the years. Among these groups were the Lansing Salvation Army, Lansing Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Michigan Japan and China Boards, Lansing Junior Achievement, Greater Lansing Symphony, Camp Highfields and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Greater Lansing Michigan Youth for Christ, United Fund of Greater Lansing, Greater Lansing Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Lansing Tennis Patrons and as a member of the Amy Foundation Advisory Board from its founding in 1985. Hal derived great pleasure from his involvement with Faith Church in Lansing. He was the choir director and organist for 30 years and a teacher in its School of Christian Education. He served on many committees, the endowment board and the church board for 35 years where he was vice-chairman. Hal loved to go camping with his family and in later years he and Ellen traveled extensively in their motor home including the 48 contiguous United States and most of the Canadian provinces. He also enjoyed playing tennis, bowling and fishing with his friends. He is survived by his wife Ellen; his sons, Michael, David (Deborah) and Steven; five grandchildren, Jeffrey, Rachelle (Karl) Janik, Kristen (David) Fraas, Jonathan (Deanna) and Jennifer; and three great grandchildren, Trace and Teagan Fildey and Eryk Janik. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Geoffrey and his sister JoAnne (Fred) Reed. Visitation will be at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home’s East Lansing location at 1730 E. Grand River, on Thursday, June 2nd from 2:00 – 4:00pm and 6:00 – 8:00pm. The Funeral services will be held on June 3, 2016 at 11 am at Faith Church, 2300 Lake Lansing Rd. in Lansing with Pastor Orson Deemer officiating with visitation one hour prior. Interment at Gunnisonville Cemetery will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Faith Church Global Missions or the Michigan Parkinson Foundation (Lansing Support Group), 30400 Telegraph Road, Ste 150, Bingham Farms, MI 48025. , 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.