Obituary of Harold Edward Canup, Sr

Harold Edward Canup, Sr, age 86 years, a resident of the Delwood community in Pope County, Illinois, passed away Monday morning, April 21, 2025, at 9:31 a.m. at Harrisburg Medical Center. Harold was born to Micah and Alberta (Crockett) Canup on August 12, 1938 in Grantsburg, Illinois.
On August 12, 1956, Harold was united in marriage to Danielle Maureen Arnold in Aurora, Illinois. She preceded him in death on September 28, 1994.
Harold was later united in marriage to Deloris (Ralph) Vinyard on January 27, 1996 at the Glendale Apostolic Church.
In addition to his beloved wife, Harold is survived by their blended family: Connie (Terrill) Walle, Harold (Tammy) Canup, Jr., Sherry (Dan) Schaumleffel, Vivian (Dewayne) Schuchardt; son-in-law, Terry Dearden; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Norma (Donald) Carlton, Joyce (Wayne) Butler, Ken (Rose) Canup, Larry Canup and Patricia (Jeff) Taylor; a sister-in-law, Darlene Humm; as well as cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In addition to his parents and first wife, Harold was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy Dearden; brothers-in-law, Jim Arnold, Dick Farmer, Loy Ralph, Max Ralph and Gordon Ralph.
Harold graduated from Cairo High School in May 1955 and shortly after attended the Western Union School in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he completed training as an automatic operator on September 1, 1955. He often joked, “I went through college—in one door and out the other.”
In his early years, Harold worked in factories and often held two jobs to provide for his family while living in Aurora, Illinois. Around 1969, the family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where Harold discovered his passion for truck driving. He was proud to have contributed to the development of Sun City, Arizona, pouring concrete and watching the senior living town grow. He loved taking his family on drives to showcase the work he had done.
After returning to Illinois, Harold continued his career with Paducah Concrete and later with Lyndel May Trucking, making long drives to Georgiana, Alabama.
When Paducah Concrete closed, he drove full-time for Lyndel May until his retirement. Though he deeply enjoyed being behind the wheel, Harold would often say that retirement was the best job he ever had.
Harold enjoyed bluegrass music. Following his retirement, he began taking dobro lessons and enjoyed participating in monthly local jam sessions with friends.
He had a passion for farming and loved animals. He was known to make pets out of bulls and cows. Harold always had a faithful dog… he talked to the animals as if they were human and some of them may have thought they were.
From a young age, Harold had three dreams: to drive a truck, play the dobro, and raise cattle—and he proudly fulfilled all three. Known for his friendly nature, Harold never met a stranger and brought joy to everyone he encountered.
Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, April 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Reverend Thomas Gentry and Pastor Donald Carlton will officiate.
Visitation will be conducted Friday from 11 a.m. until the service hour at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087.
To share a memory of Harold or to leave an online message of condolence for the family, please visit www.baileyfh.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.

Published in the May 1, 2025 Hardin County Independent.

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