Donald L. Harmon

Donald "Don" Leroy Harmon, age 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Don was born on January 22, 1937, in Galveston, Indiana, to Virgil and Pauline (Disinger) Harmon. He graduated from Northwestern High School in Howard County, Indiana, with the Class of 1955, where he was active in Future Farmers of America (FFA). His family farming roots & rural life shaped many of his interests & values that remained with him throughout his lifetime.
On June 3, 1956, Don was united in marriage to Donna Faye Arthur, in Howard County, Indiana. They went to high school together & started dating shortly after graduation. Together they built a beautiful life and shared nearly 60 years of marriage before Donna's passing in 2015.
Don began his career in 1958 when he accepted a position with the Kolux Corporation in Kokomo, Indiana, where he started as a crater. His talent and dedication quickly led him into the layout department. In 1962, Don and Donna relocated to Pardeeville, Wisconsin, where he joined GIC--later known as Everbrite--as a product engineer. Throughout his 46 year career, Don advanced through the company, eventually being promoted to Engineering Manager in 1988. He led numerous projects for major clients, including Mobil Oil, and traveled extensively throughout the United States. He often said he was "so thankful that he could go anywhere in the U.S. and probably find a sign display that he had something to do with or some hand in creating." It was a career he was deeply proud of, and his work continues to leave a lasting mark across the country.
Outside of work, Don lived a life filled with creativity and community. Archery was one of his greatest passions. Shortly after moving to Wisconsin, he started an in-home archery business that steadily grew over the years. After moving out of town years later, he grew the archery shop to include matting & framing of prints. He had quite the personal collection of framed prints & was an avid collector of target bows. He loved bowhunting. He was one of the founding members of the Poynette Bowhunters Association, helping lay the foundation for the organization that continues to thrive today. He was especially passionate about introducing others to the sport, dedicating countless hours to establishing youth and adult archery leagues. Don & Donna also participated in several adult leagues & tournaments around the state including the Badger State Games for many decades. On the state level- Don was an active lifetime member since 1965 with the WBA- Wisconsin Bowhunters Association. His dedication to the state organization has helped to shape it into what it is today and establish the sport of archery into Wisconsin state history. He also donated valuable early historical memorabilia from the WAA- Wisconsin Archery Association- for a large display at the Wisconsin Bowhunting Heritage Foundation museum located in Clintonville, WI.
Don was a gifted craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and creating beautiful clocks, bird feeders, birdhouses, and countless other projects. He collected antique tractors, loved watching and feeding birds, hunted morel mushrooms, participated in historical reenactments, and spent many hours researching his family's ancestry. Music was another lifelong passion. He continually worked to improve his skills on the banjo and mandolin, and in the months before his passing, fellow residents & nursing staff at Randolph Health Services often enjoyed hearing the sounds of his mandolin echoing through the hallways. Don also never met a stranger and was always ready with a story, a memory, or a lesson learned from his many experiences.
Don is survived by his children Darlene (Martin) Johnson of Hubertus, WI, Dwain (Karen) Harmon of Hollis, NH and Deanna Harmon of Briggsville, WI. He was a grandfather to Elizabeth Johnson of Pewaukee, WI, Owen & Kyle Harmon of NH. He is also survived by his brother, James (Eleanor) Harmon of IN; his sisters, Sharon Bowland of IN and Kathy Runyon of IN; along with many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna Faye Harmon and his parents Virgil and Pauline Harmon.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers and staff at Randolph Health Services and Assisted Living. Your kindness, dedication, and genuine care enriched Don's life and brought comfort to both him and his family. We are deeply grateful for the compassion and dignity you showed him each day.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, July 31, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at Grasse Funeral Home in Pardeeville, WI with Pastor Mark Brandel officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service on Friday. Light refreshments will be served immediately following the service.
Don will be remembered for his work ethic, generous spirit, remarkable craftsmanship, love of music and the outdoors, and the countless lives he touched through his mentorship, stories, and friendships. His legacy lives on not only through his family, but through the organizations he helped build, the signs that continue to stand across the country, and the many people fortunate enough to have known him. 2d:{