Obituary of Doyle Lee Harpole

Doyle L. Harpole, 75, of Niles, peacefully passed away at home on November 12, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Manchester, Tennessee on September 16, 1946, to the late John and Myrtle (Elrod) Harpole. Doyle was a man whose heart was bigger than his chest. Giving a piece of himself to everyone he cared about wasn’t a chore to him, it was just who he was. Doyle grew up with both of his parents and six other siblings. Family was important to him from the time he was born, until the time he passed away. He was a man that saw the big picture; it wasn’t about the things he had, although he loved his Toyota Tacoma, but the relationships he developed throughout his life. After graduating from high school, Doyle spent a little bit of time at college, but eventually joined the United States Army. After being honorably discharged he found himself working as a maintenance supervisor for the French Paper Company. The years he spent working for the paper mill taught him more than he could ever imagine. By the time he retired he knew how to fix every machine in the building, made a lifetime full of friends, and developed skills that helped him in his hobbies outside of work. With a little bit of time and effort he could fix, adjust, and put anything back together. He was especially known for his home-made tackle boxes, swings, and fishing lures made of squirrel tales. Doyle, also known as “Redneck” took an interest in hunting, fishing, and alcohol production. He had a homemade cocktail that he named “Redneck Juice.” If anyone ever had the chance of tasting this special beverage, they would know with a small sip that it wasn’t just juice. Spending a lot of time in Tennessee it was only natural that he was a die-hard Tennessee football fan. Doyle left an incredible legacy behind and will be dearly missed by his family, which was anybody he was friends with, and his community. Doyle is preceded in death by both of his parents, John and Myrtle (Elrod) Harpole; and four of his siblings, Oliver Harpole, Gary Harpole, Jimmy Harpole, and Ronnie Harpole. He is survived by his loving wife, Deborah (Dash) Harpole of Niles; his children, John (Tiffney) Harpole of Huntington, Indiana, Doyle (Jacquelyn) of LaPaz, Indiana, Michael (Beth) Bailey of Granger, Indiana, Brian (Sherri) Bailey of South Bend, Indiana, Lori (Brent) Long of Goshen, Indiana; two of his siblings, Ralph Harpole and Teresa Earl; twenty-one grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; the Wolkens family, who he held very close to his heart; and many other family members and friends. A public visitation will be held at the Brown Funeral Home on Monday, November 22 beginning at 11:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 1:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9959 or to Amvets Post 1978, 1117 E. Bertrand Road, Niles, MI 49120.