John Harvey Obituary

John Thomas Harvey

Apr 9, 1940 - Nov 29, 2023

Castalia

John Thomas Harvey, 83, of Castalia, transitioned to his heavenly home Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at Stein Hospice Care Center after a brief illness.

He was born April 9, 1940, in Coeburn, Virginia, to Emmitt Pridemore and Vesta Mae (Musick) Harvey. Thomas attended Coeburn High School, later moving to Ohio in 1965. He retired from Uniroyal Products in Port Clinton after over 29 years of service. Thomas was a lover of violins. He collected several over the years and you could often find him in the garage restoring those violins into beautiful works of art. He was very proud of his collection, always showing them off and talking about his craft with anyone who would listen. Thomas was also a self-taught musician who enjoyed bluegrass music. He spent most of his Friday nights at Gypsum Crossing listening to local bluegrass pickers. He accumulated quite an assortment of music from bluegrass festivals and concerts over the years. You could always find him playing a little ditty on his violins or singing a little song to make those around him happy. Thomas was a carpenter, handyman, mechanic, and even barber when needed. He loved to tell everyone he was only 39 years old and he was never very serious about anything, always making jokes and light of any situation in life that he faced.

He is survived by three daughters who were his life, Anita "Karen" (Homer) Perry of Sandusky, Janice Marie (Marvin) McKinney of Bayview, and Melinda Lee Harvey of Castalia; four grandchildren, Jonathon Kaleb Isaac (Ashley) McKinney, Ashley Marie (AJ) Hamilton, Alexia Denae (Clifford) Phoenix, and Sarah Michelle Perry (Justin Haslett Sr.); seven great-grandchildren, Savannah Grace McKinney, Justin Alexander Haslett Jr., Arissa Ramey Lynn Haslett, Alie Hamilton, Lydia Hamilton, Jason Hoy, and MaKenna Hoy; four sisters, Lillie Jacobs, Dora Mae Brummit, Anna Lou Smith, all of Coeburn, Virginia, and Retha Younce of Sandusky; brother-in-law, Phillip Jacobs of Castlewood, Virginia; two sisters-in-law, Ethel Salyer of Blountville, Tennessee, and Lois Jacobs, of Castlewood, Virginia; several nieces and nephews; and many more close relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen Maleine Harvey; great-granddaughter, Helen Wednesday McKinney. six brothers, William "Bill" Harvey, Orbin Harvey, Leon Harvey, Roy Harvey, Daniel Harvey, and Curtis Harvey; three sisters, Elsie Cook, Lucille Beavers, and Mally Harvey; twin siblings in infancy; four brothers-in law, George Jacobs, Willie Jacobs, Wendell Jacobs, and Fred Salyer; and three sisters-in-law, Clara Dell Jacobs, Loretta Jacobs, and Debbie Jacobs.

Visitation for friends and family will be 4-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, at Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. John's funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, at the funeral home with the Rev. Benjamin Patrick officiating. Burial will follow at Castalia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Stein Hospice Services, Inc., 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.