John Russell Harlan

John Russell Harlan, 79, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and daughters on Sunday, August 21, 2022. He was born on June 24, 1943, in Murfreesboro, TN to the late James R. Harlan I and Sarah (Cain) Harlan.

John is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Maureen; daughters, Jill Reagan and Holly Dunn; Five granddaughters, Lauren Price, Katelyn Dunn, Madelyn Dunn, Kennedy Phillips, and Ellie Dunn; Son in law Jim Glenn; Sister Sarah “Sally” Harlan Shaffer; Sister-in-laws Marge Harlan and Janet Harlan; and 12 nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his twin brother, James R. Harlan II, and brother Jeff C. Harlan.

John graduated from Charleston High School in Charleston WV and attended University of Kentucky.  John entered the U.S. Air Force where he served during the Vietnam War as a Medic while stationed at a U.S. Air Force base in Athens, Greece.  Upon his honorable discharge from The Air Force, John attended University of Cincinnati where he earned a business degree in Marketing.  John worked over 20 years as a sales manager for General Foods Corporation, Kraft Foods, and Nestle.  John accomplished something not many can do and in 1990 at the age of 47, he enrolled in a Nursing Program through Purdue University while living in Fort Wayne, IN.  John obtained an RN degree and worked almost 20 years in nursing (Community Hospital Network and Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis, IN).  John retired at the age of 67 and enjoyed time with family and traveling all over the world with Maureen.

John (and Maureen) have been members of Carmel United Methodist Church for over 50 years where they remained very active.  John (and Maureen) were youth group leaders of the Junior High MYF group and the MYF “College Group”.  John (and Maureen) volunteered at the church’s food pantry and John helped deliver and serve food to those less fortunate in the Indianapolis area. John enjoyed attending weekly breakfast meetings with the ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Group at CUMC.  John (and Maureen) also participated in several church trips to Hendersonville, Kentucky where they worked on repairing and sprucing up houses.

John loved to golf and even after injuries and illness kept him from golfing, he would often say that when he felt better, he was going to start playing golf again.  The only thing John loved more than golf was spending time with his granddaughters.  John was a “family man” always putting family first.  He would do anything for his wife, daughters, and granddaughters and loved telling anyone who would listen about his 5 beautiful granddaughters.

Visitation will be on Saturday, August 27, from 1 pm to 3 pm, with a funeral service to follow at 3 pm.  Both the visitation and the funeral service will be held at Carmel United Methodist Church, 621 S Rangeline Rd, Carmel, IN 46032.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made out to Carmel United Methodist Church – Henderson Mission Trips, 621 S Rangeline Rd, Carmel, IN 46032.