Harold Wildfong

Harold Edwin Wildfong, 93, passed away July 27, 2014. He was born September 26, 1920 to Samuel and Alma Wilfong on the family farm in Chestonia Township. He lived in Mancelona his entire life. He attended school in Alba and furthered his education in auto mechanics, bumping and painting in Detroit. He volunteered from 1941 to 1944 in the U.S. Army Air Force and had earned the rank of Staff Sargeant by the time he was discharged. He was a ground force mechanic on the B-17 bomber at Andrews Air Force Base in England. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge with one oak leaf cluster and the European/African/Middle Eastern service medal with 6 Bronze Stars. Harold married Irene E. Lawrence on November 10, 1945. He worked with his brothers, Orlo and Robert, when he first came home from the service until he was hired at Antrim County Road Commission. He worked there 32 years and retired in 1982. After retirement he worked part time for the Antrim County Agricultural Youth Corps for 5 years then as a fruit inspector for the State of Michigan for 4 years. His final employment was for Active Homes. Harold and Irene operated the Lona Theatre for 11 A½ years during the 1960s and early 1970s. Harold served on the Mancelona School Board for one year and was a trustee for the Village of Mancelona for 9 years. He was a member of the Antrim Church of Christ. He loved to hunt, fish and golf and just enjoyed being outdoors. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, his parents, brothers Orlo, Joseph and Walter and sisters Margaret, Edith and Juanita. He is survived by his children Willard (Karen) Lawrence of Bay City, Phyllis (Alphaeus) Leach of Bellaire, Harold (Janet) Wildfong of Williamsburg and Michael (Anne) Wildfong of Hudsonville, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, a brother Robert (Dorothy) Wildfong of Mancelona and a sister, Dorothy (Marshall) Koontz of Indiana. Funeral Services will be Friday, August 1, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Antrim Church of Christ with Pastor Mark McCool officiating. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. until the time of services. A luncheon will be at the Church immediately following. Visitation will be Thursday, July 31, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. The Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Antrim Church of Christ. Please sign his guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com