Harvey J. Jenkins

Harvey J. Jenkins, age 82, passed away Friday afternoon November 6, 2009, at Wheaton-Franciscan-All Saints Hospital. Harvey was born in Arena, WI, son of the late LeRoy and Valeria (nee: Slauson) Jenkins.

At the young age of sixteen, Harvey joined the Merchant Marines to help fight for his country during World War II and later proudly served as a Sergeant in the United States Army. On January 7, 1949, Harvey married the love of his life, Martha F. Kummer, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, Iowa. Harvey served as Chairman of Diamond Transportation System, Inc. since the 1960s when he returned to Racine to succeed his father and join his brother Richard “Buck” in the growth of Diamond. Diamond has been a Racine-based pioneer in the hauling of farm machinery since the 1940s and continues as a specialized heavy-haul carrier throughout North America.

He was a supporter and member of the VFW, past Chairman of the Machinery Haulers Association, and member of the First United Methodist Church. Besides his many business associations, Racine will always remember Harvey’s fleet of antique fire trucks which he often proudly displayed in the 4th of July parade. He will be best remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty years, Martha; children, Thomas (Carmen) Jenkins of Minnetonka, MN, Deborah (Rudolph) Coca of Racine; grandchildren, Mary Jenkins, Lauren Jenkins, Jon (Janna) Coca, Nick (Erika) Coca; great-grandchildren, Shealynn and Kennedy Coca, Nick, Colton and Kylee Coca; brothers, Robert (Mieko)Jenkins of Louisville, KY, Leroy (Suzanne) Jenkins of Racine; sister, Nancy (Daniel) Hershberger of Arlington Heights, IL; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jeannette Jenkins of Racine, Jake Kummer of Charles City, Iowa, Bill (Kay) Kummer of New Glarus, WI, Jim (Connie) Kummer of Reedsburg, Ruth Meyers of Brodhead, Jeanne (Bruce) Pope of Richland Center; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Harvey was also preceded in death by his brother, Buck; and his sister, Caroline.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Brad Van Fossen officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. Memorials to American Diabetes Association and/or the American Heart Association have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888