Ross D. Harmon, age 73, of East Troy, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2013, at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Elkhorn.
Ross, who was famous for breaking into song and dance without warning, boogied into this world on September 13, 1939, in Rockford, IL to parents Arthur Harmon and Lillie Robinson Harmon. He grew up in Rockton, IL, and then moved to Florida, where he graduated from Miami Technical High School in Miami, FL, in 1957. His natural charm then served him well in his career as a salesman for several manufacturers and for his many years of volunteer work.
Ross was known throughout the land for creating fun wherever he went, especially for holidays. When his children were young, he would put on elaborate Halloween parties for the neighborhood kids, complete with a story about the “Ghost of Indian Trail.” He loved to cook, especially for Thanksgiving, and every year he would roast a turkey that would make Martha Stewart proud.
Ross, and his late wife Joellen, spent much of their lives advocating for those with special needs on behalf of their daughter, Wendy. They did puppet shows to educate young children about people with special needs, spoke to Congressional committees and worked tirelessly to find Wendy the best possible school settings throughout her childhood and early adulthood.
Retirement for Ross was certainly not a retirement in the traditional sense. Never one to let grass grow under his feet, he became a bus driver for Thomas Bus Service, Burlington—where he proceeded to wear every crazy hat he could get his hands on. He was a favorite with many students. But it wasn’t just hats—he also dressed up as St. Nicholas on the bus, at his church and at the church’s day care, at St. James United Methodist of East Troy. Speaking of his church, Ross kept busy there, too; he was a certified lay speaker and liturgist and provided services on behalf of the church at East Troy Nursing Home; he was an Administrative Council chairperson; and he helped out with many other projects. Ross had already made a positive impact in the world in a big way, but he didn’t stop at that—he also served on numerous church committees, including Meals on Wheels.
When Ross loved to do something, he put his whole heart into it. He was a past president and the current vice-president of the Walworth County Senior Golf League and a past member of the Abbey Springs Board of Directors. He also enjoyed driving a parking shuttle at the Walworth County Fair. At the East Troy 4th of July Parade, you would always see him grilling brats and hot dogs at the church. But his culinary skills far surpassed cookout food—he was named the 2012 Chef of the Year at the Lake Geneva School of Cooking.
He had a great love for the outdoors. When Ross wasn’t puttering in his own garden, he could be found working at Green Meadows Petting Farm in Waterford. “Farmer Ross” would take schoolchildren on tours to show them the animals, all the while exclaiming, “It’s another great day at Green Meadows Farm!” Once a year, he would proudly show his own family around the farm. With zeal, Ross would remind them of all of the names of the animals.
Ross is survived by his six children, Mark Harmon of Milwaukee; Robin (Rob) Kressin of Mequon; Christine (Robert) Deering of Elkhorn; Tammy (James) Nevin of Lake Worth, FL; Kelly (Steven) Klein of Waterford; Wendy of East Troy; nine grandchildren, William and Sarah Kressin, Shelby Deering (William Dernbach, Jr.), Jamie, Joshua, and Natalie Nevin, Annie and Caroline Burdick, and Theo Klein; one sister, Judy (Karl) Bollerud of New Lisbon; one brother, Dane (Merilee) Curtis of St. Charles, IL; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his significant other, Colette Molyneaux of East Troy, and her daughters Samantha and Katie. He was preceded in death by his wife Joellen Harmon, parents Arthur and Lillie Harmon, in-laws Richard and Joyce Merlau, and grandson Matthew Kressin.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 2-3 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 2945 Main St., East Troy, WI. The memorial service will begin at 3 p.m., immediately followed by a light meal at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made in Ross’ name to V.I.P. Services, Inc., 811 E. Geneva St. Elkhorn, WI, 53121. Legacy Funeral Services of East Troy is serving the family.
