Fred Harkins was the best father a child could ask for. He was a loving husband and hard-working man. He played on a professional baseball team in Alabama and played here in Illinois, too. This is how he got his job with Bell & Zollar Coal Mines in Zeigler, IL., they needed a good ball player. He worked off & on in the coal mines and was also a Body & Fender Man, too.
He married my mother, Mildred Southerland in 1935. They were married for over 60 years and to this union six children were born; 5 daughters, Barbara, Faye, Kaye, Lynda and Gayla; also 1 son, Jerry.
Fred worked for several coal mines and for both Glodich Motors in West Frankfort and Harkins Auto-Body Shop in Frankfort Heights. Then he built his own garage behind his home on East Poplar Street, where he continued his body business and working in the mines.
Fred became a fireman for the city of West Frankfort in about 1951 when his brother Louie became Mayor. He didn't have to go down in those old mines anymore. He became Fire Chief three years and worked in that position for another 23 years then retired in 1974. He became city commissioner for West Frankfort in 1971 and served 4 years.
He sang with his wife, Mildred over WJPF Radio Station in the early 1940's and they were known as the "Sweethearts of Song". They had a little band called "Millie & Her Boys" and sang at various places and functions in Southern Illinos.
He loved music and sang and played the guitar everywhere, at church, nursing homes, etc. He did volunteer work for the Salvation Army and he was a lay-leader at Trinity Methodist Church. He built guitars and sold them, too. A few of his guitars are in the hands of his grandchildren.
Fred was a very tender-hearted man with a gentle soul but he was tough when he had to be. His hands were calloused and rough from all the work he did but his heart was soft and filled with love...love for the good Lord and his family. He was a faithful servant to the end, so I know where he is today. He will never be forgotten! Rest now dad and know you will never be forgotten.
Love always from your daughter, Kaye
He married my mother, Mildred Southerland in 1935. They were married for over 60 years and to this union six children were born; 5 daughters, Barbara, Faye, Kaye, Lynda and Gayla; also 1 son, Jerry.
Fred worked for several coal mines and for both Glodich Motors in West Frankfort and Harkins Auto-Body Shop in Frankfort Heights. Then he built his own garage behind his home on East Poplar Street, where he continued his body business and working in the mines.
Fred became a fireman for the city of West Frankfort in about 1951 when his brother Louie became Mayor. He didn't have to go down in those old mines anymore. He became Fire Chief three years and worked in that position for another 23 years then retired in 1974. He became city commissioner for West Frankfort in 1971 and served 4 years.
He sang with his wife, Mildred over WJPF Radio Station in the early 1940's and they were known as the "Sweethearts of Song". They had a little band called "Millie & Her Boys" and sang at various places and functions in Southern Illinos.
He loved music and sang and played the guitar everywhere, at church, nursing homes, etc. He did volunteer work for the Salvation Army and he was a lay-leader at Trinity Methodist Church. He built guitars and sold them, too. A few of his guitars are in the hands of his grandchildren.
Fred was a very tender-hearted man with a gentle soul but he was tough when he had to be. His hands were calloused and rough from all the work he did but his heart was soft and filled with love...love for the good Lord and his family. He was a faithful servant to the end, so I know where he is today. He will never be forgotten! Rest now dad and know you will never be forgotten.
Love always from your daughter, Kaye
Fred Harkins was the best father a child could ask for. He was a loving husband and hard-working man. He played on a professional baseball team in Alabama and played here in Illinois, too. This is how he got his job with Bell & Zollar Coal Mines in Zeigler, IL., they needed a good ball player. He worked off & on in the coal mines and was also a Body & Fender Man, too.
He married my mother, Mildred Southerland in 1935. They were married for over 60 years and to this union six children were born; 5 daughters, Barbara, Faye, Kaye, Lynda and Gayla; also 1 son, Jerry.
Fred worked for several coal mines and for both Glodich Motors in West Frankfort and Harkins Auto-Body Shop in Frankfort Heights. Then he built his own garage behind his home on East Poplar Street, where he continued his body business and working in the mines.
Fred became a fireman for the city of West Frankfort in about 1951 when his brother Louie became Mayor. He didn't have to go down in those old mines anymore. He became Fire Chief three years and worked in that position for another 23 years then retired in 1974. He became city commissioner for West Frankfort in 1971 and served 4 years.
He sang with his wife, Mildred over WJPF Radio Station in the early 1940's and they were known as the "Sweethearts of Song". They had a little band called "Millie & Her Boys" and sang at various places and functions in Southern Illinos.
He loved music and sang and played the guitar everywhere, at church, nursing homes, etc. He did volunteer work for the Salvation Army and he was a lay-leader at Trinity Methodist Church. He built guitars and sold them, too. A few of his guitars are in the hands of his grandchildren.
Fred was a very tender-hearted man with a gentle soul but he was tough when he had to be. His hands were calloused and rough from all the work he did but his heart was soft and filled with love...love for the good Lord and his family. He was a faithful servant to the end, so I know where he is today. He will never be forgotten! Rest now dad and know you will never be forgotten.
Love always from your daughter, Kaye
He married my mother, Mildred Southerland in 1935. They were married for over 60 years and to this union six children were born; 5 daughters, Barbara, Faye, Kaye, Lynda and Gayla; also 1 son, Jerry.
Fred worked for several coal mines and for both Glodich Motors in West Frankfort and Harkins Auto-Body Shop in Frankfort Heights. Then he built his own garage behind his home on East Poplar Street, where he continued his body business and working in the mines.
Fred became a fireman for the city of West Frankfort in about 1951 when his brother Louie became Mayor. He didn't have to go down in those old mines anymore. He became Fire Chief three years and worked in that position for another 23 years then retired in 1974. He became city commissioner for West Frankfort in 1971 and served 4 years.
He sang with his wife, Mildred over WJPF Radio Station in the early 1940's and they were known as the "Sweethearts of Song". They had a little band called "Millie & Her Boys" and sang at various places and functions in Southern Illinos.
He loved music and sang and played the guitar everywhere, at church, nursing homes, etc. He did volunteer work for the Salvation Army and he was a lay-leader at Trinity Methodist Church. He built guitars and sold them, too. A few of his guitars are in the hands of his grandchildren.
Fred was a very tender-hearted man with a gentle soul but he was tough when he had to be. His hands were calloused and rough from all the work he did but his heart was soft and filled with love...love for the good Lord and his family. He was a faithful servant to the end, so I know where he is today. He will never be forgotten! Rest now dad and know you will never be forgotten.
Love always from your daughter, Kaye
