John H Harrier

I’ve finished life’s chores assigned to me, so put me on my boat headed out to sea. Please send along my fishing pole for I’ve been invited to the fishing hole. Where every day is a day to fish, to fill your heart with every wish. Don’t worry, or feel sad for me, I’m fishing with the master of the sea. We will miss each other for a while, but you will come and bring your smile. That won’t be long you will see, to be together you and me. To all of those that think of me, be happy as I go out to sea. If others wonder why I’m missin’ tell them I’ve gone fishing.

John H. Harrier came into this world on his mother’s 16th birthday. He was born on June 30, 1943, to Ruth Marie (Hazelbaker) and John S. Harrier. He left this earth to travel and fish with all of his fishing buddies and his dog, Dusty Sue, on June 23, 2025. He leaves behind his family and friends, most of whom he has known for decades. Born and raised in Tilton, Illinois, John loved animals or “critters” as he called them. From an early age, he would roam the woods and bring home critters and put them in his toy box. According to his mother, he once brought home a snake and it got loose in the house. She told her grandchild, she laid in bed that night afraid that critter would crawl in bed with her.

John attended Danville schools and graduated from Danville High School in 1962. In 1964, he married Patricia Ann McBride, and through this union came along two daughters, four grandchildren and one great grandson. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2024 with family and friends. 

In 1966 John was drafted into the United States Army, where he proudly served his country and was sent to Vietnam. John completed his basic training at Fort Campbell, KY. While in the service, he and Pat lived in Washington State, but visited California and Hawaii before John was sent to Vietnam. While in Vietnam, John’s job was a Heavy Equipment Operator, and he worked to clear the jungle on his bulldozer. Upon returning, he and Pat bought a home in Catlin on Merrill Street. After living in Catlin for a short time, they purchased 3 acres in Westville, where he built a state of the art and, before its time, in-ground solar home where the family lived and hosted countless holidays and friendly gatherings. When both of John’s girls flew the nest, he and Pat returned to his birthplace, Tilton, Illinois.

John loved many hobbies: mushroom hunting, fishing, roaming the woods looking for critters, gun collecting and even making his own muzzleloaders. Often times, these trips would include his daughters, teaching them from an early age to hunt, fish and just take in nature. It should be noted, Jennie loved these trips but would tell him, “Dad, I am not cleaning any fish I catch, you have to do that”. Traveling and family vacations were a must for John. Every year the family went on a big vacation with his best friend and brother, Dudley Bolser, and his family. These trips were the highlight of the family and those of you who know Dudley Bolser, well, you understand why. Family vacations didn’t stop when his girls married. As a whole family, he and Pat would take the grandkids every summer on a vacation, most notably to Canada one year.

During John’s working career, he was a proud member of the Local 841 where he was a Heavy Equipment Operator. During his career chances are if you were to see a tower crane in use, he was running it. After retiring from the Local 841, he had opportunities to travel back to Vietnam with old Army buddies, Bruce and Jimmy Cushman, and on another trip back, John took Bob and Janet Brazelton for the trip of a lifetime. This became a passion of his and while traveling back, he would often take clothing, toothpaste, shoes and toiletries to take to the orphanages overseas.

One year while traveling in Saigon, he met and befriended a doctor who was from there, but worked in New York. John told Doc to come visit him anytime when he returned to the States. One day, completely unbeknownst to his wife, Pat, Doc showed up requesting to stay. Well, Doc certainly won Pat and the family over with his authentic Vietnamese cooking and stayed for a month.
In 2019, John was called to be a recipient on the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. This day trip to Washington, DC was such a memorable trip. John was able to go in good health and see the Vietnam War Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Changing of the Guard.

Later in life when the Parkinson’s took over his body and limited his traveling, John could rely on two very special people to pick him up and take him out. Tad Beddow and Bill Musson. Doing very different things, John was able to get some enjoyment with Tad taking him for lunch and then a cold beer at Julee’s in Westville. During his day trips with Bill, the two old buddies would drive around looking for critters and then enjoy lunch at the Beef House. John’s son in law, Bryan, never told John no when it came to traveling after his Parkinson’s took away his mobility. John was able to travel with his wife, daughter and son-in-law on a very memorable trip to New York and taking his only great grandson to a family favorite (not John’s but he never let it show) Disney World trip. Bryan was there, loading scooters and carrying bags. Parkinson’s may have slowed him down, but it didn’t stop him.

John leaves behind to cherish his memories his loving wife who took care of him until the end, Patricia Harrier; his two girls, Nikki (Bryan) Moulton and Jennie (Jared) Black; his favorite granddaughters, MacKenzie Moulton, Kierstyn Kiley and Vivian Black; his favorite and only grandson, Brandon Moulton; his beloved great grandson, Oliver Ellis; beloved brother and sister, Gary Harrier and Teresa Blazaitis; sister-in-law, Nancy (Dan) Lehnen, Pam (Bill) Bair, Sharon (Bill) Musson; nieces and nephews, Greg Harrier, Tina Jones, Mark Richardson Jr., Ryan Taylor, Kyle Taylor, Randy Kagels, Dalton Glass, Sean McBride, Brian Lehnen and Mark Lehnen; lifelong childhood friends, Bud DuBois and Fred Lyons; and very good friends, Bob and Paula Meece.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; two very special nieces, Jessica Nelk and Ann Musson; his brother-in-law, Jim McBride; his dear departed little sister, Cheryl Taylor; and his lifelong childhood friend and brother, Dudley Bolser.

Services in honor of John will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Danville VA chapel with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. with a service from 11:30 a.m. - noon. The family would like to invite friends and family to a dinner/celebration following the services at the Danville Post 210 Legion at noon for food and great sharing of stories. If you would like to make a donation in John’s name, the family asks you to send them to the following: The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, Vermilion County Animal Shelter or any of the local state parks, Kickapoo, Forest Glen or Kennekuk. 

Online condolences: www.rortvedtfuneralservices.com
 

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