Edward Alan Harwood

Edward Alan Harwood, age 73 years of Edwardsburg, Michigan, father, brother, uncle, drag racing fan, mechanic, and honorable veteran died peacefully at 3:59 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024 with his family gathered around his bedside at Elkhart General Hospital following an extended illness.

He was born on May 12, 1950 in Niles, Michigan to Carl A. and Virginia M. (Thompson) Harwood, and attended Brandywine Community Schools.  He joined the United States Army, and shared memories of his deployment to a U.S. military base in Okinawa, in support of the action in Vietnam.  He returned to the Michiana area, and was employed as a welder in several area manufacturing firms.  He has lived in Niles, South Bend, Indiana, and Edwardsburg all of his life.

Ed was a great fan of drag racing, attending National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events at Joliet, Illinois and the US 131 Motor Sports Park at Martin, Michigan, often taking family and friends who were very patient as he toured the pits to take-in all of the action.  At home he enjoyed helping family and friends with automotive repair, and usually had a car in some state of repair in the garage or the backyard.

He had that great personality mix of being strong-willed – some say stubborn or hard-headed – but also had a soft heart, and was always willing to provide a helping hand.

He was sadly preceded in death by a daughter, Laurie Ann Williams in 2012, and by his parents.

Surviving family includes his children, Eddie Harwood, Jr. of Elkhart, Joddie Lynn Harwood of Detroit, Michigan, Tony (& Shauntaka) Harwood of North Carolina, and Jamie Scott of Niles; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and Ed’s siblings, Linda Lou (& Bruce) Swanson of Pensacola, Florida, Jesse James Harwood of Niles, Diana L. Washington of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Patricia Wroblewski of South Bend, and Frank J. Harwood of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services for Edward Harwood will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at Silverbrook Cemetery, 1400 East Main Street in Niles with Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating, and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences and memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Ed used his seventy-three years well, in military service, and in civilian life, as a hard-working and productive member of our community.  He also worked hard a home, but also enjoyed good times at the races, and loved the people in his life.