Harvey Lee Anderson greeted his Lord and Savior on June 16, 2018. He passed away from various complications stemming from a recent surgery. Harvey was born on January 26, 1944, in Harrisville, MI, to his parents Truman and Kathryn (Carrie) Anderson (both deceased). He spent his childhood on the family’s farm in Harrisville, MI, where he learned a hard work ethic and cut a lot of wood both there and the surrounding countryside. During high school, he enjoyed playing football and running track. Later in high school, he met his future wife of 48 years, Joyce Anne Tolly (deceased), at the Lincoln Baptist Church in beautiful northern Michigan. Upon graduation in 1962 from Alcona High School, he worked with his twin brother putting in docks on nearby lakes and doing light construction work. Harvey then served our country honorably in the United States Army from 1964-1967. He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War, performing maintenance and repairing military vehicles with the Army’s 16th Engineer Battalion.
Harvey married Joyce on February 24, 1968. They moved into their first home in Mason, MI, where they began their life together. A few years later, Harvey and Joyce built a home in Eaton Rapids where they lived for nearly 10 years before moving back to the small town community of Mason to finish raising their 4 children, Philip, Rachel, Mark and Jayne. In addition to his devotion to family, Harvey was always an active member in the various local churches he attended through the years. Harvey was a dedicated father to his 4 children and worked diligently to help support his growing family.
Upon his discharge from the army, Harvey worked for a short time at General Motors. He later found employment with the United States Postal Service in their vehicle maintenance area at the main processing plant and post office in Lansing, MI. It was here that he started out his career as a vehicle mechanic and then later as a supervisor of the mechanic team maintaining and repairing postal vehicles. After 28 years with the United States Postal Service, he retired early but continued full-time employment in other jobs. Through the years, he worked for Brady Lawn and Garden and at Darrell’s Hardware. For the past 15 years plus, he has been working for Dakkota Integrated Systems. Coincidentally, he started and ended his employment career on an auto production line. Harvey prided himself on his hard-work ethic and passed this on to each of his 4 children. Even at 74 years old, he never stopped working full-time…
Harvey loved his country and served it well during his years in the Army. Anyone who knew Harvey knew that the United States and those who served to give us our precious freedom were to be highly honored and respected. He was often seen wearing patriotic clothing that supported the troops and honoring our great country’s flag. Harvey also loved the outdoors and wildlife. Throughout his teen and adult years he enjoyed deer hunting in the woods near his family’s farm. Additionally he spent several years fishing with family and church friends in northern Michigan and Canada, portaging across some lakes and streams with his canoe. Harvey was also a jokester and enjoyed tricking others by trading places with his identical twin brother Leslie. Harvey frequently had a joke, pun, or one-liner ready to lighten the mood and help others laugh.
Harvey leaves behind his four children -- Philip (Ruth) Anderson, Rachel (Tim) Wheaton, Mark (April) Anderson and Jayne (Robert) Weck -- and 21 grandchildren to carry on his legacy: Hannah and Abigail Anderson; Jared, Levi, Adam and Chloe Wheaton; Brayden, Meilynn, Jayson, Kaitlyn, Greyson, Kristyn, Ryan, Addisyn, and Emilyn Anderson; Eliana and Elizabeth Trierweiler; and Abraham, Garrett, Elyse and Evelynne Weck. Additionally, he leaves behind his siblings Patricia (Monty) Latham, Leslie (Wilma) Anderson, Carol (Lee) Luck and Gary (Jane) Anderson, and sister-in-law Carol Tolly, as well as many extended family members to cherish his memory. Preceding him in death were his wife, Joyce, his parents Truman and Kathryn Anderson, in-laws Ellis and Helen Tolly, and brother-in-law David Tolly.
Visitation will be Saturday, July 7, from 12:00-1:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. at the Eden United Brethren Church, 1938 Eden Road, Mason, MI. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made directly to the family C/O Jayne Weck to disperse in ways that would honor Harvey. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home in Mason, MI,- 517-676-2447.
