Harold Edward Covert

Harold Covert of Cheboygan, went to be with his Lord on October 25, 2023. He was born May 15, 1932 in Stalingrad, Russia to James Covert of Ohio and Tamara (Ponamarova) Covert of Stalingrad. James brought the family back to America a couple years later. Harold grew up in the Indian River/Alanson area as well as the Detroit area. He graduated from Alanson High School in 1950.

In 1951, Harold married Edith Brooks in Boyne City, Michigan. They raised five children together in Mt. Clemens, Michigan: Sue, Jim, Chuck, Sherri and Patti-kaye. He worked as a tool and die designer for most of his life, even having his own business for several years.

In 1982 Harold and Edith moved back to Boyne City, where they divorced in 1984. He married Rena Eslinger in 1984, who preceded him in death in 2010. They had resided in several areas of Michigan and Florida over the years, enjoying traveling in their motor home. Upon retirement, Harold worked at Grosse Pointe Schools as a custodian, where he met a special friend, Pearl (Hattie) Lewis. He moved to Cheboygan in 2013, where he resided until his death.

Harold loved family, fishing, hunting, and sports (even playing semi-pro baseball in the early 1950’s). He loved to tell stories and jokes, most of the time at least a little off-color.

He was devoted to Freemasonry, having followed his father and grandfather into the Brotherhood around 1959. He was very active in the Mt. Clemens Lodge; and was well known for putting on Masonic memorial services for brothers who had passed on. When he moved to Cheboygan, he enrolled in dual membership in Karnak Lodge in Indian River as well as the Mt. Clemens Lodge. We are so grateful for his brothers at Karnak, especially Pat, Craig and Joe, for helping him out so much in recent years due to his blindness. He loved you all dearly.

Harold also loved the Lord. He became a member of Indian River United Methodist Church in 2015. He continued attending right up until a short time before his death. Thank you so much to McLaren Hospice of Cheboygan for his care during the past 18 months. Special thanks to Joie, Matt and Dianne and his neighbors Joe and Sherry.

Besides his wife Rena, Harold was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ed, Jim, and Dick, infant sister Eileen, son Jim, son Chuck, and daughter Sherri. He is survived by his sister Tamara (Evelyn), daughters Sue Herrington (Donavon) and Patti-Kaye CovertReetz (Mark), daughters-in-law Gayle and Rochelle, special friend Hattie, “brother” Pat, grandchildren Darryl Brown, Jr. (Latoya), Joshua Brown (Paulina), Jon-Michael Brown (Leslie), Shannon Selman (Lance), James Covert, Jake Mensch (Katie), Jeff Mensch (Nai), Leah Janowiak (Mark). He also leaves 25 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, along with several stepchildren, step-grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He was thrilled to have 5 generation pictures. He loved his family and was so proud of them. We will miss him greatly, especially his sense of humor.

Memorial Service at Indian River United Methodist Church will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 18, 2023, with Chaplain Dianne Myers leading and Karnak Lodge providing Masonic Memorial Rites. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.  Service will be live-streamed.

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