Dedicated to Friends, Past and Present

Obituary​

Van H Harlan, 83, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2013.  He was a retired Northwest Airlines employee, born in Winston County, MS, but lived most of his life in Memphis.  Van is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eleanor Vincent Harlan, his two sons Ivan N Harlan (April) and Kevin S Harlan (Susie), both of Memphis, and his four grandchildren, David N Harlan, Anna E Harlan, Christopher V Harlan, and Matthew S Harlan, all of Memphis.  Van graduated from Noxapater High School in Noxapater, MS, attended East Mississippi Junior College, then served in active duty during the Korean Conflict.  He moved to Memphis where he met his wife Eleanor.  They were married on April 4, 1954 and moved to Sherwood Forest in East Memphis.  Van worked for Southern Airways, Republic Airlines, and Northwest Airlines for over 30 years in freight and operations.  He loved to travel with his family and had been all over the world with Eleanor and many times to his favorite destination, Hawaii.  Van was an avid harmonica player, belonging to several bluegrass and plectoral groups  He also loved to camp with Eleanor in their pop-up camper.  Van will be remembered as a strong, proud Christian, a loving father, grandfather, and husband.  He was a handyman/mechanic and a great and true friend by all those who knew him.  The family will receive friends and family Wednesday, June 12, at 11 a.m.  The funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. at Family Funeral Care, 4923 Summer Avenue.  Interment will be in Wedst Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene at 1:30 p.m.  The family asks that memorials be sent to Memphis Oral School for the Deaf. Family Funeral Care  (901) 761-8000. Published in The Commercial Appeal from June 10 to June 13, 2013.

Van H. Harlan
?  -  June 7, 2013