Lee D. Harder

Lee Don Harder, 66, of Oak Harbor, OH died Monday, November 19, 2018 at the Henry Ford General Hospital in Detroit, MI, after a lengthy illness. He was born, November 13th, 1952 in Port Clinton, OH to the late Don Henry Harder and the late Shirley Mae (Schiller) Crennan. He met his wife, Janet L. (Sorensen) Harder of 47 years, at youth fellowship at St. Pauls UCC. As a lifetime St. Pauls member, Lee was able to share his faith by serving on church council, being a youth fellowship advisor, Sr. Choir Member, Peter in the Living Portrayal of the Last Supper, and several singing quartets. He built his family, starting with his son Adam Lee Harder (Maribeth), Ossian,IN and daughters Rachel Mae Haigh (Jon) Pittsburgh, PA, and Leah Michelle Bickelhaupt (Jon) Oak Harbor, OH. The family continued to grow with 8 grandsons and 5 granddaughters which he enjoyed taking fishing and eating snickers bars, watching ball games, singing songs together, giving Papa Bear hugs, and a dishing out a generous amount of teasing. Through the years, Lee enjoyed spending his time bowling, fishing, swimming, singing, camping, playing cards, watching movies with homemade cheesy popcorn. Graduating from Oak Harbor in 1970, Lee participated in band, choir, and football. He discovered his love for theatre during his Senior year when he took the lead role in "The Robe." This led him to being in several productions of summer theatre, where he would entertain one with both his acting and singing. Lee also sang in the band "Pete and the Boys" for 10 years, along with singing at weddings and funerals. Lee was also active within the community as a member/past President of Oak Harbor Lions Club, Habitat for Humanity, Chamber of Commerce, Woodmore School Board, and Ottawa County Building Board of Inspections. Lee was owner of Lee Harder Builders, Inc for 35 years, where he used his knowledge gained from growing up in a family of carpenters, to build and remodel homes and businesses, along with building lifelong friendships with his clients. Later in his career, Lee dissolved his own business and went to work in sales for Harlee Homes. He is also survived by: grandchildren Chance, Avery and Brooke Harder; Jeremy, Jillian, Zachary, Tyler, and Corina Haigh; and Carmen, Kellen, Nolan, Preston, and Hudson Bickelhaupt; Brother Lynn (Doris) Harder and Sisters Jan (Keith) Cultice and Cindy Harder; half-sister Kay (Aaron) Wiedmann, half-brothers Darin (Ruth) Harder and Dan Ellithorpe; and step-brother Lynn (Denise) DeTray and step-sister in-law Kay DeTray. He was preceded in death by his step-mother Peggy (Smith) Harder and step-brother Clarence DeTray. Visitation will be Friday from 2pm to 8pm at the Crosser Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Oak Harbor Chapel. Funeral Services will begin at 11am Saturday, November 24th, 2018 at St. Pauls UCC of Oak Harbor with the Rev. David A. Voll officiating. Burial will be in Salem Township Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor. Those wishing to make contributions are asked to consider St. Pauls UCC or the Oak Harbor Lions Club. Funeral Home: Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Oak Harbor Chapel 301 N. Locust Street Oak Harbor, OH US 43449