MAURICE HARSHMAN obituary

CHINOOK Maurice Murray Harshman, 80, of Chinook died Dec. 12, 2006.

His funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Lloyd Sweet Auditorium at the Chinook High School with burial in the Kuper Memorial Cemetery with military honors. Maurice was born May 13, 1926, to Albert and Fern (Lowman) Harshman in Frankfort, Ind. At the age of 1, Maurice traveled with his family to Montana to homestead in the Chinook area. Maurice attended school in Chinook until the age of 17, when his desire to serve his country led him to falsify his age in order to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. His naval training was in Farragut, Idaho. Maurice served his tour of duty in the South Pacific. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Chinook, where he received his GED in October 1946. While in the Navy he received basic electrical training which became a lifelong career. During his early years, he worked for Paulson Hardware, Home Furnishing and Electric, after which he started his own business, Harshman Electric. On Oct. 10, 1947, in Chinook, Maurice was united in marriage to Arlene Voje of Ada, Minn. Maurice was very active in the Methodist Church and enjoyed golfing with his family and friends. Maurice and Arlene were active in the Couples Club for many years and in the more recent years the pinochle club. Most importantly, Maurice got immense enjoyment traveling to his grandchildren's activities and visiting with his many friends and family. Maurice was the glue that kept the family together. Maurice was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene in 1999; parents; nine brothers; and four sisters. Survivors include his children, Shiela (Larry) Brubaker of Lakeville, Minn., Shelda (Mel) Bermes of Missoula, Connie (Wayne) Bergen of Wolf Point, Dan Harshman of Whitehall, Kathy (Bill) Harbolt of Chinook and Patti (Dallas) Hagfeldt of Laurel; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Clark Harshman of Great Falls and Don Harshman of Chinook; and sister, Miriam Tucker of Great Falls. Memorials are suggested to the Chinook United Methodist Church or the Chinook Golf and Country Club. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.