David L. Harmer

David L. Harmer of Sun City passed away on May 24, one month shy of his 97th birthday. A loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, David was the personification of “a life well lived.” He loved his family, loved to tell stories that captivated his audience, and most of all, loved life.

David was the second of four sons, born on June 23, 1926 to Charles and Audrey (Kennemuth) Harmer of Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was raised.

In 1942 at the age of 16, David enlisted in the Butler Guard and in 1944 the Pennsylvania State Guard. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945 and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. On August 17, 1945, David was stationed on Ie Shima Island when the Japanese emissaries landed on their way to surrender negotiations in the Philippines.

He was discharged from the army in 1947 and enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard later that year. In 1950 David was called to active duty during the Korean War and earned the rank of Master Sergeant. David was discharged from active duty in 1951, and again enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard, where he served until 1961.

David married Margaret Kathryn Stroop of Lloydsville, Pennsylvania, on April 26, 1947. They celebrated 60 wedding anniversaries together. David and Margaret had four children – a son and three daughters.

Western Pennsylvania was their home for the majority of David’s career. He spent 30 years at Mellon Stuart Company, rising from timekeeper to chief estimator. He retired from Mellon Stuart in 1980 as Senior Vice President.

In 1980, David and Margaret moved west, settling in the Valley of the Sun, where David worked as an estimator for several construction companies: M.M. Sundt, TBI, Chanen, Grammar, and Kohl before retiring in 1987.

An avid outdoorsman, David enjoyed hunting and cherished his time with his hunting buddies. Additionally, he was an NRA certified instructor and taught hunter safety classes to area youth for more than 20 years. David shot competitively, earning the distinction of Individual M-1 Rifle Champion from the 28th Infantry Division in 1959.

Preceding David in death were his father Charles, mother Audrey, brothers Alfred, Wayne, and Rolland, and grandson Kevin Oblack. His wife Margaret passed in 2008. David leaves behind his son Larry (Jan) Harmer, and daughters Gay (Paul-D) Oblack, Carol (Scott) Donaldson, and Linda (Joseph) Trovato. He is also survived by grandchildren Lani (Aaron) Vanderlip, Carrie (Loren) Cochran, David (Stephanie) Donaldson, and Kathryn Donaldson; as well as great grandchildren Tyler Cochran, Austin Cochran, and Kai Vanderlip.

David will be lovingly missed by all who knew him.