Harold Vore Early, 86, of Bellefontaine, entered Glory peacefully on Thursday morning, September 2, 2021, at his home.
Harold was born on a farm, outside of Bellefontaine, on February 13, 1935, to the late Mary Irene (Vore) and Paul Miller Early. He was also preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Bob Hesson, and their children Sheila and Rodney Paul Hesson.
Harold married Sue Ann Lyman on July 26, 1959, and she survives in Bellefontaine. He is also survived by their children: Lyman Randall “Randy” Early of Bellefontaine, Karen Belinda (Valley) Early of California, Harold Andrew “Andy” Early of Colorado, and Jonathan Daniel “Danny” (Angel) Early of Rushsylvania; 11 grandchildren: Olivia (Marcus) Vance, Leslie (Joe) Cellar, Victoria (Shaun) Cowan, Sawyer and Indigo Early, Nicholas and Damian Ciganko, Misty Smith, Tim (Erica) Mills, Hayden Early, and Jonathan “Jonny” Early; 7 great-grandchildren: Alexander Vance, Delaney Cellar, Aliyah, Evelyn, and Isla Cowan, Brayden, Addonis, and Jasmine Sims; sisters: Martha Early (Phillip) Myers of Holland, Ohio, Rose (William) Slemmons of Cincinnati, Frances Core and Ruth Early, both of Bluffton.
A 1953 graduate of Bellefontaine High School, Harold was a farmer and bus driver for many years. He was also a 4-H advisor for 25+ years and as a young man he took hogs to the Ohio State Fair. With his wife Sue Ann, they enjoyed traveling with their young children in Ohio, and visiting 47 of the 50 states. They traveled to Sweden to visit family of one of their 4 exchange students. Another exchange student, Dorothea Sterling was from Germany and has become an American citizen. They especially enjoyed their 50th Anniversary cruise to Alaska with friends. Harold loved to read, and also enjoyed good music. He had also worked as a dark room color technician, and a landscaper at Green Hills. Harold was a member of Bellefontaine First Church of God. He was greatly blessed by God’s grace, and impressed by His creation.
Visitation for Harold will be on Wednesday, September 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine.
Pastors Gary Brown and Ray Headings will officiate Harold’s funeral service on Thursday, September 9, at 11 a.m. at Bellefontaine First Church of God. The gazebo committal service will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery, West Liberty. Pall bearers will be Hayden Early, Tim Mills, Jonny Early, Marcus Vance, Shawn Cowan, and Joe Cellar; with honorary pall bearers Nicholas and Damian Ciganko, and Bobby Sims.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bellefontaine First Church of God, 1000 E. Brown Ave. Bellefontaine, OH 43311.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Early family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.