Harlan Siebert

Harlan Alvin Siebert, 96, of Jackson was granted eternal rest in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, after a short stay in Providence Place at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He previously resided at the Villas of Jackson.

Harlan was born July 30, 1927, in Tilsit, the third of six children, to Leo Henry and Frieda Emma Fluegge Siebert. Harlan met and married the love of his life, Dorothy Marie Schreiner, on Nov. 26, 1950, at Grace Lutheran Church in Uniontown. They loved to tell the story of their wedding day with temperatures being 2 below zero and ice on the ground at Dorothy's family farm near Old Appleton. Harlan was heartbroken when he lost Dorothy Oct. 23, 2021, and prayed for the day he would be reunited with her. Dorothy passed away just a month before their 71st wedding anniversary.

Harlan had a very fulfilling life with many things to mention. He was a very proud U.S. Army veteran of the World War II era, serving honorably in Kyoto, Japan, from April 3, 1946, to April 20, 1947.

He and Dorothy lived in Jackson their entire married life, where they were both very active members of the community. They were owners of Straightway Farm Service from 1948-1980. Involved in many organizations, Harlan served on the Jackson City Council, Farm Bureau, charter member of Jackson Jaycees, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, and received the Farm Bureau "Friend of the Farmer" Award in 2001. The Legion and VFW, where he served as commander, were both passions of his. Homecomers and Brookside Memorial were projects they were both very proud of. Countless hours were spent volunteering at the Veterans Home. Together they were faithful members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where Harlan served in the Men's Club, on the Church Council and as an usher.

Playing the harmonica, whistling and dancing with Dorothy were just a few ways Harlan showed his appreciation for music. He was always the life of the party. Although they never had children, many nieces, nephews and friends remember Harlan and Dorothy including them in many of their adventures -- Cardinal baseball games, demolition derbies, race tracks and the list goes on. Family togetherness always involved a fierce game of cards, mostly pitch. Harlan always came ready to play with a deck of cards in his pocket. Harlan and Dorothy traveled extensively around the world with many friends and family. Rarely was it just Harlan and Dorothy; he always included "Miss Daisy" -- aka Gladys, Dorothy's sister -- as part of their adventures.

Loving survivors include a brother, Vernon (Pat) Siebert; a sister, Vera Jean (the late Robert) Voges; nieces and nephews, Dennis (Joy) Siebert, Sharon (the late Larry) Tucker, Steve (Kathy) Siebert, Diana (Jim) Hobeck, Bonnie (Mike) Pierce, Carla (the late Tim) Clippard, Debbie (Bruce) Schnurbusch, Tom (Linda) Schreiner and Lynn Schreiner, wife of Harlan's late nephew, Doug Schreiner. He is also survived by many great- and great-great-nieces and -nephews as well as special friends, Steve and Judy Schneider, Rick and Dixie Grantham, and Paul Macke.

Harlan was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents; his siblings and their spouses, Freeman (Ellouise) Siebert, Earl and Gladys (Dorothy's sister) Siebert, and Irene (Earl) Siemers; a brother-in-law, Robert Voges; Dorothy's brother, Ray (Lillian) Schreiner; and three nephews, Doug Schreiner, Ricky Voges and Roger Voges.

A special thank you to those friends who paid visits to Harlan during his stay at both the Villas of Jackson and the Lutheran Home. Your time spent with him meant so much to him. In addition, special thanks to the Villas of Jackson, SoutheastHEALTH Hospice, the Lutheran Home, Providence Place and Lutheran Home Hospice for the patience, care and compassion shown to Harlan. God truly blessed Harlan with an abundance of loving people in his life.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. At 10:45 a.m., there will be an American Legion ceremony conducted by the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 158, followed by remarks by Brother Charles Mangels, and the funeral ceremony conducted by the Rev. Joshua Schmidt. Military honors and interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests St. Paul Lutheran Church or VFW Post 10495 in Jackson.

McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Harlan's obituary article at mccombsfuneralhome.com.