John Harlow

John M. Harlow III died unexpectedly of natural causes at his home in Marshall, Michigan, on July 12, 2021. He was 63. John was the first of three sons, born October 23, 1957, in Seattle, Washington, to parents John and Carol (Biggs) Harlow. Their family moved to New Jersey when John was 9, then settled in Western Springs, Illinois, just west of Chicago, as John entered high school. He graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1975. He next attended the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point, where he’d receive a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. More importantly, while at UWSP, John met his soulmate and bride-to-be, Renée Bertolino. They were married June 25, 1982. John worked briefly with a marketing firm of Time Life after graduation before taking a sales position with EG&G Sealol selling industrial use products related to pumps and valves in both Illinois and Michigan. He remained in that industry working for a Michigan office of Corrosion Fluid Products and more recently, Pro Seal Service Group in Pontiac. In the late 1980s, John and Renée were blessed with two daughters, Katie and Anna, and moved to Marshall in 1989 when John’s sales region became focused in Michigan. Not long after getting acclimated to Marshall he became involved in a number of local groups and institutions. He was elected to the board of Marshall Public Schools and worked as treasurer of a committee to pass a millage for Marshall District Library. He also was quite active in the Marshall Historical Society, serving as a board member as well as a chair and co-chair for both the Historical Society’s Annual Home Tour and Christmas Candlelight Tour. John had an array of interests and hobbies. He was a voracious reader on a variety of topics, which showed up in his mastery of even the toughest crossword puzzles. He enjoyed many genres of music, was an avid jogger for many years, a wonderful cook, and a fan of several Chicago and Detroit sports teams. Prior to leaving the Chicago area John became fascinated by architecture and loved being a tour guide for many years at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. Given his druthers, John would be outdoors. He loved birding as well as trout fishing. Probably his two favorite activities, however, were working in his beautifully landscaped yard (twice on the Marshall Area Garden Club tour) and walking 18 holes of golf with good friends every Saturday and Sunday morning, usually starting at the crack of dawn. John was a devoted and loving husband, father, son, and brother, and had dozens of good friends, both young and old. He will be dearly missed by all. He is survived by his wife Renée; daughters Katie (and husband Scott Duncombe) and Anna (and fiancé Max Thal); mother Carol Harlow; brothers and wives, Tim & Sharon Harlow and Jim & Melissa Harlow; a half-sister and husband Deborah & Steve Hass; nieces & nephews Caroline Harlow, John Harlow, Robert Harlow, Tom (& Callie) Hass, Johnathan Hass, and great-nephew Graham Hass. He was preceded in death by his father John M. Harlow II. A gathering of family and friends was held July 24 in the Harlow backyard where John joyfully labored for 32 years. For those wishing to make a memorial donation, the family suggests any of the following: Fountain Clinic, Marshall Historical Society, Marshall District Library, or the Marshall Garden Club. Tributes or memories may be left at www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/john-harlow-obituary?id=6053743 or the Grand Rapids Cremation Services website (www.grcremation.com).