Ronald Harbin, 83, of Des Moines and formerly of New Sharon, passed away Nov. 20, 2021, at his home with his family by his side. Memorial grave-side services will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Apr. 30, 2022, at the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. A Celebration of Life will be held in the McVay Building in New Sharon from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 30, with family and friends along with a luncheon and refreshments. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ARL www.arl-iowa.org or Food Bank of Iowa.
Ronald Harbin, the son of Melvin and Neva Bond (Stevens) Harbin, was born July 15, 1938, in Montezuma. He graduated from North Mahaska High School. Ron then received his teaching degree in math and science from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. Apr. 5, 1958, he was united in marriage to Trudy Woods at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. To this union, two children were born, Tony and DeAnn. Ron started his career as a math and science teacher at Lynnville-Sully High School where he was awarded the Science Teacher of the Year. In the early 1970s, Ron moved his family back to the New Sharon area on the Del Rio Farm, where Ron began farming along with raising cattle and sheep. He also worked for Taintor Co-op as a field feed representative, eventually working his way up to becoming the manager of Taintor Co-op and the surrounding areas. After retiring from Taintor Co-op, he became self-employed by delivering trailers made in Indiana. Trudy would also work with Ron occasionally and deliver motor homes. Then he finished his career with Grinnell Mutual. Ron loved entering and attending car shows, going to NASCAR races, hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling, and being with family.
He is survived by his wife Trudy of Des Moines/New Sharon; his children Troy (Lola) Harbin and DeAnn (Joe) Ernst; grandchildren Lacy (Ryan) McGriff and Leslie Miller; four great-grandchildren; a brother Steve Harbin; and many other relatives and friends.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Verna Harbin and Neva and Leonard Bond, and two brothers Lloyd Harbin and Lee Bond.
