Harold Seely

Harold Seely was born on March 20, 1925, near Asherville, Kan. He grew up on the family farm south of Asherville and attended Asherville Grade School and Asherville High school graduating in 1942. He studied electrical engineering in what is now Kansas State University for one year before fulfilling what he felt was his duty to his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a radio repairman in the Signal Corps from Aug. 13, 1942, until Aug. 22, 1946, when he was Honorably Discharged as a Corporal. During his service, he served in the Pacific Area from April 2, 1945, until Aug. 9, 1946, and in the Occupation of China from Dec. 10, 1945, until July 20, 1946. He earned an Expert Rifle Weapons Qualification on Oct. 13, 1943, and was promoted to the rank of Corporal on Feb. 4, 1944.

Harold returned to the United States and worked as a farmer and county surveyor until he met his first wife, Kathryn Law. They married on Jan. 1, 1947. They lived for a year in Manhattan where Harold continued his studies at Kansas State University and they returned to the Asherville area to begin a family, eventually settling on the family farm just south of Asherville. They raised their three children there as Harold farmed and worked as a radio and color television repairman for the Hiserote and Weir Appliance Store in Beloit and then started his own Seely Repair Services in his garage on the family farm. He continued farming after retiring his repair business. After Kathryn passed away in October of 2000, Harold married Leta Dameron in 2002 and moved to Beloit.

Harold was active in working with his neighbors to establish a rural fire district to improve safety on the area farms and small towns. He remained active in this until his age made retiring as a volunteer fireman a necessity. He remained interested in their work all his life.

Harold had a strong belief in America and in family. He maintained a positive outlook on life and loved to visit with his neighbors. He strived to help make the world a better place by being actively involved in his community. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Alie Seely; his wife Kathryn Seely; his sister, Virginia Bonnenblust; and his son-in-law, Ron Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Leta Dameron Seely; his sister, Dorothy Burch; his sons, Clarence Seely and Alvin and Cynthia Seely; daughter, Susan Johnson; and stepchildren, Tommy and Julie Dameron, Bob and Debra Dameron, and Pam and Brad Fogo. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 11, at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 12, with graveside services immediately following at the Greenmound Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorials are suggested for the M.C.O. Rural Fire Dist. No. 1.