Phyllis A. Harms

“She’s Got a Home in Glory Land that Outshines the Sun”

Phyllis A. Harms (age) 95, of Merrill, Michigan went to the “Glory Land Way Beyond the Blue Horizon” on 7/31/2020.
Phyllis was born to the late James C. & Dorothy M. (Tomlinson) Nolan Sr. on March 23, 1925 in Hemlock Michigan. She grew up on the Nolan family farm near Hemlock, Michigan with her brothers (deceased), Kenneth V. Nolan and James C Nolan Jr. She attended grade school at Smith country school & in 1943 graduated from Hemlock High School. Post-graduation, she took on a Rosie the Riveter role at Eaton Manufacturing in Saginaw, Michigan. On September 22, 1945, she married the late Raymond A Harms. As a couple they owned & operated the family centennial farm in the rural Merrill countryside. Raymond & Phyllis had 5 children, 10 grandchildren & 19 great grandchildren. Children: Tommy Lee (deceased as an infant), Monica Schaeffer (Denny), Marilyn Katt (Larry), Sue McCaw (Barry, deceased), Dick Harness (friend), & Lynn Bucher (William). She was blessed with Grandchildren: Eric McCaw, Amanda Cassidy (Dan), Kari Lewis (Troy), Corey McCaw (Kaylee), Chris McCaw (Gina), Nicholas Katt (Sarah), Kasey Brandt (Ryan), Matt Bucher (Erika), Colleen Schaeffer, Trent Schaeffer (Jennifer, friend). Great Grandchildren – Aaliyah McCaw, Kennedy & Riley Cassidy, Maddox, Adyson & Kasen McCaw, Brandon DeLoe, Conner & Elizabeth McCaw, Isabella & Ian Brandt, Lillian Bucher, Oliva & Madeline Lewis, Caden & Kyson Katt, Luke, Thomas & Nolan Barnes. Other special friends & relatives were many, including a few like Wanda Poscal, Joy Francis, Gladys Campbell, Clayton & Carolyn Nolan, Carol Nolan, Linda Jackson, Beverly Newton, & Faye Vincent.
Mom touched many by her songs of life like “This Little Light of Mine,” & “Let it Shine.” Throughout her life Mom often referred to herself as being the “only girl, only blonde, only one left-handed & the only one with two colored eyes in her family. She was passionate about music and family & showed this by often playing the piano at family gatherings prompting festive living room dancing & singing. Favorite piano songs included “Herr Schmidt” & the “Darlin” song. She frequently would comment daily on a new song running through her head.
Mom was good at volunteering herself & (mainly) dad to help others. Other passions included playing cards, sewing/quilting, traveling & working on puzzles. Throughout the years, she was active in the Hemlock Methodist Church, Midland County 4-H & Farm Bureau. She was frequently found in the bleachers supporting many Breckenridge school activities. She loved eating chocolate, going out to eat & sitting on her front porch taking in the seasonal views. On the other hand, driving tractor, cooking, seeing a mouse or wearing clothes that did not match were major dislikes (just ask the family about those supporting stories).
In lieu of flowers, jump into your car wearing something that matches, take a road trip while always admiring the view, eat out, sing songs, & have a chocolate. If you see a left handed person be sure and recognize their specialness. As the day ends, smile & tell your family you love them & use “see you later Alligator, after while Crocodile” to say goodbye. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Hemlock United Methodist Church, 406 W. Saginaw St., Hemlock, MI 48626 or Breckenridge Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 94 Breckenridge, MI 48615. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cases Funeral Home, Merrill, Michigan.
Socializing, dancing, singing & playing the piano until her heart’s content, will now be her special role. To our Matriarch…. “Happy Trails to You Until We Meet Again.”
A private family service has taken place.