September 10, 1946 – November 27, 2019
Mary Jane Bilby-Harmeson, 73, Sheridan, passed away Wednesday evening, November 27, 2019 at Harbour Manor in Noblesville. Born September 10, 1946 in Lebanon, she was the daughter of the late Robert O. Bilby, Sr. and Virginia Eloise (Waitt) Bilby. She was a 1964 graduate of Sheridan High School and attended the Sheridan First Christian Church.
On October 29, 1967, Mary Jane married the love of her life, Kent F. Harmeson, and they would spend the next 52 years by each other’s side. Family was very important to Mary Jane. That phrase is often overused; however, in this case it would be considered an understatement. Mother was her favorite role. She loved being involved in her girls’ activities while they were growing up. For many years she was actively involved with the Marion-Adams band booster program. When the kids were grown and started having families of their own, she quickly realized that Grandma was her new favorite role and spoiling her grandkids rotten every chance she had was her mission.
Even though she loved being a mother and a grandmother, the role of loving wife was the one she cherished the most. After Kent retired and the kids were grown, they had plenty of time to do more activities together. They loved rescuing strays in the neighborhood, including the occasional opossum and raccoon. Kent and Mary Jane also loved taking walks around Sheridan. They never seemed to have a particular route, they just went down whichever streets they hadn’t been down in a while, stopping and visiting with people they knew along the way. When it was no longer possible to take their walks around town, they would hop in the truck and drive instead, still stopping and visiting as they went. Kent would run his errands for the day and Mary Jane was always right there by his side. She also loved traveling, whether it was going up to New York to see Central Park and Yankee Stadium, heading out west to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, traveling to see the grandkids, going on band trips, or just puttering around Sheridan. Her favorite part, no matter where she traveled, was getting to enjoy it with her family.
Mary Jane is survived by her husband of 52 years, Kent F. Harmeson, Sheridan; two daughters, Jennifer Lynn Adams (Chris), Sheridan, and Gwendolyn Dawn Grinstead (Brice), Jasper; seven grandchildren, Courtney Adams (fiancé Luke Hopper), Rachael Adams, Jacob Grinstead, Maggie Adams, Abbie Grinstead, Valerie Adams and Beth Adams; and two brothers, Robert O. Bilby, Jr. (Carol), Pendleton, and Carl Eugene “Gene” Bilby (Shirley), Southport.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor Jeff Higgins will be officiating.
Arrangements
Service: 11 a.m., Dec. 4
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com