Harold Pangle

Harold Pangle was a friendly, hardworking man, of great devotion to his family and faith in the Lord. He was a proud veteran, loving father and grandfather, devoted husband and loyal friend. Most of all, Harold was a man who understood the meaning of duty and devotion, to his nation, career, his family, and his faith.

Harold's story began on a hot summer day in 1918, in the little farming town of Mendon, Michigan. Those were difficult days in this country, as the costly conflict of World War I was nearing its end, as Americans endured many hardships of battle back home. On August 6, 1918, Lee and Pearl (Peek) Pangle found reason to celebrate, with the birth of their first of four children, a baby son they named Harold.

Harold was joined by younger siblings Harriet, Durwood and Delton in the family's home. Sadly, Harriet died of pneumonia at just a year old. Harold grew up mainly in Mendon and Three Rivers, and because he was seven years older than his closest sibling, he was closest to his friends as a kid. He loved hunting and fishing as a teenager, helping put food on the family's table during the Great Depression.

Harold grew into a tall, strapping young man, and was an excellent athlete at Three Rivers High School, winning a state medal in track in the high hurdles, as well as playing offensive and defensive end on the football team. He graduated from Three Rivers in 1936.

Harold's first job after school was with the railroad for the summer, where he worked on the rail beds, a job he loved. It also fostered a lifelong love of trains for him, and he would build model sets later in his life. In November of 1936, Harold found a job at Armstrong Machine Works in Three Rivers, where he would spend the rest of his career.

In 1941, Harold went to a dance hall, as was so popular in those days, where he met a beautiful young girl named Amber Erwine. The sparks flew between them, and he quickly fell in love with his pretty "wavy-haired girl," as he always called her. The young couple was married on New Year's Day, 1942, at her parents' house in Vicksburg.

It wasn't long before the newlyweds were split apart by World War II. Harold was drafted into the Navy, and promptly shipped out to the South Pacific, where he served as a machinist mate keeping the engines running on a landing ship. He served in the Navy from May 30, 1944 to February 8, 1946.

Harold paid a high price for his service, however: he missed the birth of his only child! He was in the South Pacific when Amber gave birth to their son, Robert Lee, on September 12, 1944.

When Harold returned from the service, though, he became completely devoted to providing for his family. They bought a home across from Barton Lake in Vicksburg, and later built a new home across the street right on the water.

To pay for it all, Harold always worked two jobs, with a tireless work ethic. He worked at Armstrong Machine Works from 7 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon, came home for an hour for dinner with his family, and then headed off to his second job from 5-10 at night! If that weren't enough, he even worked Saturdays, but was always there to help his son Bob with his paper route on Sunday mornings! That was Harold, though, always determined to provide the best for his family, always in motion, never standing still.

As devoted as Harold was to his family, he was equally devoted to serving the Lord. When he wasn't working, he volunteered for the Jail Ministry, which was such an important part of his life. He was a very active Christian, never shy about sharing his faith, with an easy, outgoing demeanor. He attended Lakeland Reformed Church and Lake Center Bible Church. He also read his Bible daily, actually wearing out many copies! Fortunately for Harold, he had excellent eyesight his entire life, never needing glasses, thanks to years of tall glasses of carrot juice!

After his family, faith and career, food was definitely next on Harold's list! He loved to eat, an active man with a big appetite, everything from a Frosty at Wendy's, to any place with an all-you-can-eat buffet! Naturally, Thanksgiving was his favorite holidays when it came to food.

Harold had other loves, as well. He loved to go mushroom hunting, and every Mother's Day there was a family tradition of going to Cadillac to hunt morels, with the rest of the Pangle clan. Harold enjoyed shopping at Shipshewana and eating at the Essen Haus. He continued his love for trains, with an elaborate set he built in his basement (for years he built model train cars on his lunch break at work, too). Harold also had an elaborate garden of fruits and vegetables, which he spent hours pruning and spraying, then sharing with the whole neighborhood.

Family was always most important to Harold, however. After he retired, he began to make up for lost time with his family, especially with the grandchildren he loved so much. It was a thrill for him to be with the grandkids. He and Amber also had time to be a couple after he retired. They took their camper down to Florida each winter for nearly a decade, from 1985-95, which they enjoyed immensely. Eventually, Harold became Amber's loving caregiver, as she bravely battled cancer for five years, until she lost her struggle in 1998.

After serious back surgery, Harold moved into the Park Village Pines assisted living center in 2002 where he was active in helping ease the transition for new residents. He also enjoyed watching Christian programs on television. After living at the "Pine's" for more than four years, Harold died in Rose Arbor Center on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at the age of 88.

Yes, Harold was a wonderful, hardworking man. He did devote his life to the two most important things: family and faith. He did serve his country, his family, his friends and his faith. To be sure, above all, Harold was a faithful servant of the Lord. He was a man who knew the meaning of duty and devotion, a lesson that lives on in all who knew him.

He will be greatly missed.

Harold Pangle, age 88, died March 6, 2007. Harold was born August 6, 1918 in Mendon, the son of Lee and Pearl (Peek) Pangle. Learn more about Harold, view his Life Story Film, and visit with his family and friends on Friday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home-Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Dr-375-2900 where a service to honor his life will be celebrated Saturday at 11:00 AM. Immediately following the service, food and fellowship will be shared at the Life Story Center. Private entombment will take place later at Mt EverRest Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife Amber Pangle in 1998 and by his brother Lee "Durwood" Pangle. Members of Harold's family include his son Robert (Jane) Pangle of Kalamazoo; two grandchildren: Dr. Hollis (Andrew) Julson of Vacaville, CA; and Jeffrey (Kelly) Pangle of Gobles; two great grandchildren: Ethan and Connor Julson; a brother Delton Pangle, Sr. and many nieces and nephews. Please visit Harold's web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his Life Story, share a favorite memory, upload photos, sign the guest book, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice Care of South West Michigan or Mattawan Public Education Foundation.