Howard Thomas Harvey

Howard Thomas Harvey, 91, of Wilmington, North Carolina, formerly of Washington, died January 28, 2009, in Autumn Care of Myrtle Grove, Wilmington. He was born February 9, 1917, in Canton, Ohio, a son of Howard Elmer and Edith Ross Harvey. Mr. Harvey served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He enlisted on October 22, 1942, and was honorably discharged on September 30, 1945, with a rank of corporal. Mr. Harvey served in the European Theater of Operations and was involved in the Air Offensive over Europe as well as battles in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Silver Star and one Bronze battle Star, three Overseas Service Bars and a Good Conduct Medal. For 40 years, Mr. Harvey worked as a diesel truck mechanic for Suwak Trucking. He was a member of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Washington and a former member of the Kiwanis Club and the American Legion. Mr. Harvey also bowled at the Alpine Club when he lived in Washington. While living in Wilmington, he was involved with Meals on Wheels and the Seamen Center. He was married for 42 years to Freda Margaret Pettit until her death on October 3, 1979. Surviving are four sons, Richard (Valerie) Harvey, Howard “Sam” (Martha) Harvey, Robert (Carole) Harvey and David (Janice) Harvey; five daughters, Nancy Day, Mary Jane (Roberto) Hayes-Bellino, Linda Comfort, Sherry (Barry) Beddow, and Sheila (Jim) Blake; a brother, Jack Harvey; two sisters, Phyllis (Peter) Pindale and Shirley (Tom) McLaughlin; 28 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. Deceased are a son, William Harvey; one daughter, Peggy Ann Cupler; a grandson, Jeff Harvey; one great-grandson, Ian McMasters; two brothers, Jim Harvey and Alfie Krumlauf; and four sisters, Mildred Weaver, Bertha Glover, Virginia Yoders and Peg LaFerriere. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 5th, with Rev. Dr. Susan VandeKappelle officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion.