Pearl Halmond

Pearl Louise Halmond was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and cherished friend and neighbor. She gave of herself for the good of others and was willing to help wherever she could. Her enthusiasm for life was evident in the family she loved and the community she promoted. Pearls life can be measured in nearly a century of years, still her legacy of faith, family and friendships will endure from generation to generation. Pearls story began during a decade of change in America, from assembly line manufacturing to womens suffrage, from the temperance movement to fair labor laws affecting children. People of all ages enjoyed the music of jazz and blues and the unique ragtime tunes of Scott Joplin. By 1914, Europe was embroiled in war, but President Woodrow Wilson promised to keep the United States out of the war to end all wars. All too soon, the coming years of war and economic depression also shaped the character of Americans, who sacrificed for one another as a matter of duty and honor. Pearl Louise was born July 16, 1915 on a farm in Geneva Township, five miles outside of Bangor, Michigan. She was the daughter of John and Emma (Hopkins) Edwards, and along with her older brother Woodrow, she helped work the farm by doing daily chores. Sorrow struck the family when Pearl was still a teen. Her mother died and more responsibility was thrust upon Pearl. In addition to assuming the household duties, Pearl took a job in town. Because there were no busses from the farm to the one-room school house, Pearl boarded in town during the week, doing laundry and babysitting for various families. On weekends, she returned home and in summers she worked as a nanny at the Jewish resorts in South Haven. However, her teen years were not all work. Pearl and John Halmond met in high school, but dating was anything but a snap. He had to walk five miles to visit her at her home, but persistence paid off when he escorted her to the prom. In what would turn out to be a 7-year courtship, their lives were woven together by love and respect and just plain fun. They discovered a mutual love for dancing and often made trips to the Fruitport Pavilion to listen to the Big Bands. By then, Pearl had moved to Kalamazoo to attend beauty school and John was enrolled in the education program at Western Michigan University. She took a job as waitress at Hollys restaurant, but on weekends, Pearl returned to Bangor to help her dad with the farm. On October 11, 1940, Pearl and John joined their lives in marriage and settled in Haslett, Michigan, where he had been offered a job teaching high school history and government. Their lives were further enriched by the birth of their son Robert in 1943, and shortly thereafter, John took a position at North Muskegon High School. The family had only just moved to North Muskegon when John was drafted into the US Army. With baby in arms, Pearl decided to move back to the family farm for the duration of Johns term of duty. In 1946, the young family resumed their life in North Muskegon, and daughter Amy was born in 1949. They lived in several different locations before buying a home in 1956 on Muskegon Lake, where Pearl would live the rest of her life. As a stay-at-home mother, Pearl was devoted to her children and husband. Yet her capacity for multiple tasks was considerable, and when John earned a real estate license so he could sell during the summers, so did she. Pearl worked the office, answering phones and making appointments, all the while maintaining the household. She was very handy with tools, the one to call when repairs were needed around the house. By any standard, her nickname Miss Fixit was well deserved. The family also owned property near Bitely, Michigan where they parked a mobile home. There was plenty of space in the 160 acres for Pearl to tend a huge garden in the summer and for the family to snowmobile and cross-country ski during the winter. For many years, Florida was a destination location for the family to spend the Christmas holidays. In retirement, Pearl and John wintered there or at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Everywhere they went, they were sure to make new friends. She and John had a large group of friends with whom they socializing, but she was also just a great neighbor. Pearl was always there for others whenever they needed help and was quick to make a meal as needed. Friends returned the kindness and care when Pearls son Robert died in an automobile accident in 1980. Her sorrow was deep, yet her faith, family and friends were a bedrock of support. The Community United Methodist Church had been Pearls spiritual home for many years. The church family nurtured her gifts through the Church Womens Auxiliary and the Goodwill Auxiliary, where she served as treasurer. Pearl and John were energized by their community and participated in many functions as public servants. They often showed up at local high school sporting events and were members at Lincoln Golf Club. The two of them often played together, but Pearl also golfed on the Ladies League for many years. Above all, Pearl and John loved being grandparents. They enjoyed seeing their grandchildren and great grandchildren as often as they could, and Pearl was especially close to granddaughter Jessica, who spent much time with her in recent years. When John died in 2007, Pearl continued to live on her own, even driving until she was 94. However, a bone break forced her to slow down a bit. Even though she recovered very well, age was taking its toll. For the past few years, Pearl's daughter-in-law, Pam, lived with her to give her the extra help that she needed. And recently caregivers Sandy Barnhart and Patty Weatherly were there too. They made it possible for her to remain in her own home, where she died peacefully on Sunday December 14, 2014 at the age of 99. Mrs. Pearl L. Halmond will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her family and a host of friends. SURVIVORS Daughter, Amy (Greg) Brown of Whitehall; daughter-in-law, Pamela Halmond of North Muskegon; grandchildren, Matthew (Jennie) Halmond of Las Vegas, Jessica (Doug) Sharp of Spring Lake & Nick (Korrie) Halmond of Spring Lake; great grandchildren, Lauren, Paige & Robert Sharp, Brennon & Cameron Halmond, Alex Crocker and Olivia Pearl Halmond. She was preceded in death by her husband, John in 2007; son, Robert J. Halmond in 1980 and brother, Woodrow Edwards. SERVICE Friday, December 19, 2014, 11:00 am at Community United Methodist Church with Rev. Phillip Friedrick officiating. Interment in Laketon Township Cemetery. VISITATION Thursday, December 18, 2014 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Community United Methodist Church, Mercy VNS & Hospice, Muskegon Community Foundation or Humane Society.