Harding Harmel

Harding Albert Butch Harmel, 83, of Burton, died Dec. 5, 2004, in Trinity Medical Center in Brenham. Mr. Harmel was born July 29, 1921, in Burton, Texas, to William and Lydia Dorner Harmel. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rehburg. He attended Long Point School. On Feb. 24, 1946, he was married to Pearlie Ponfick in St. John s United Church of Christ in Burton by Rev. Knicker. Mr. Harmel was a retired butcher, he and his wife in 1949 started their meat market business in Burton and continued in this business for over 50 years. A lifetime rancher and still loved checking his cattle on his John Deere Gator. A life member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg. A member of the Sons of Herman, Berlin-Mill Creek Zionsville Fire Dept., Rocky Creek and Burton Fire Dept. Harding, better known as Popo, loved spending time with all of his grandchildren. He especially loved playing dominoes with his wife, riding the Gator, receiving high fives from his great grandson Jackson and watching Thursday night wrestling with his buddy Earnest. Survivors include his wife, Pearlie Harmel of Burton; sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas and Debbie Harmel and Michael and Waynette Harmel, all of Burton; daughter and son-in-law, Janis and Alan Krieger of Spring; grandchildren, Keith and Julie Krieger, Jennifer and Brad Glaesmann, Kayla Harmel and fiancé Jason Wagner, Mandy and Heath Kalkhake, Cory Painter, Aimee Harmel and Micah Harmel; great-grandson, Jackson Kalkhake; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Velma Harmel of Houston; and sisters-in-law, Nellie Harmel of Brenham and Emma Harmel of College Station. Also survived by a special friend Karen Harmel of Brenham. The family would like to give a special thanks to Keith Watkins and Earnest Nickerson for the care they have given over the past two years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Walter, Charlie, Herbert and Herman Harmel; sisters, Selma Weber and Norma Knipstein; 2 sisters-in-law; and 2 brothers-in-law. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. today in Foehner Funeral Home in Burton. The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7 in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rehburg with Pastor Larry Henrichs officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Aubrey Harmel, Gene Harrison, Larry Weber, Charles Harmel, Robbie Harmel, Walter Ponfick Jr., Tommy Lee Harmel, Brad Glaesmann and Heath Kalkhake. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, great-grandson and friends: Mandy Harmel Kalkhake, Heath and Jackson, Keith Krieger, Jennifer Harmel Glaesmann and Brad, Kayla Harmel and Jason Wagner, Julie Krieger, Aimee Harmel, Micah Harmel, Cory Painter, Alton Pido Boehnemann, Oliver Whitener, J.R. Bredthauer, and Johnnie Bethke. Memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rehburg. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Foehner Funeral Home in Burton.