OREGON – Frederick W. Harmon, 68, of Oregon, IL, died peacefully at home on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021.
Fred was born on Nov. 1, 1953, at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago. He grew up in Flossmoor, Ill., and attended public schools there. He graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Class of 1971. Following graduation from H-F High School, Fred attended Winona State University in Winona, Minn. He decided to head south to work in the commercial fishing industry in Pensacola, Fla., where he lived for many years. red then returned to the Chicago area to work in the construction business as a finish carpenter for new construction and remodeling.
Fred ultimately settled in as a resident of Oregon. He enjoyed family gatherings, his friends, live music, travel, and being on or near any large body of water. He was a man of many talents from art to carpentry, to sailing, music, and fishing. He was our own family “MacGyver,” always using his unconventional problem-solving skills to “rig” things or get out of a jam. A myriad of stories will confirm that! In recent years, Fred had served as an Ogle County Election Judge and he was active in the Oregon, and Palos Park, Ill., Alcoholics Anonymous.
Fred will be missed by his three siblings, Emery F. Harmon III, Patrick J. Harmon, and Mary Louise Harmon Neugent (Gerard). He was a doting uncle to his nephews and niece, Gerard Neugent II (Kate), Emery Harmon IV, Edward Harmon, and Elizabeth Neugent Dixon (Rob), four great-nephews and great-niece. He’ll be missed by his aunt, Nancy Murphy, and his many cousins, John Carney (Carol), Ruth Carney Thomas (Alan), Peter Carney (Sue), and Mary Margaret Carney Roman (Nick), Tom Harmon (Stacy), and Mary Pat Harmon Harris (Ron), Bill Murphy, Jr., and the “California Cousins,” Katie Kilpatrick Warren (Ward), Rob Kilpatrick (Heather), Bill Kilpatrick (Donna), Kevin Kilpatrick, Terence Kilpatrick (fiancée, Lori), and many other family members and friends.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Emery F. Jr. and Mary Louise, his grandparents and his aunts and uncles.
A memorial Mass took place on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 301 N 4th St., Oregon, IL 61061.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be sent to:
Friends of Bill W./Oregon Barn Group, Frederick W. Harmon Memorial, 404 S. 4th St.,
Oregon, Il 61061
