Harley ‘Ray’ Bingham

GLADSTONE — Harley “Ray” Bingham, age 83 of Gladstone passed away early Tuesday morning, October 1, 2024 at Optalis Health and Rehab in Kingsford.

Harley was born in Nahma, on May 30, 1941, the son of Harley J. and Elsie (Arpiainen). He attended and graduated from Nahma High School and was a part of the Class E State Basketball Championship in 1959. He also proudly served in the Marine Corps from 1959 until 1962.

Harley had many jobs throughout his life, after retiring from Mead Paper in 1997, he opened Harley’s Bar in Northtown. He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000 and continued to work in construction until 2011 when he returned back to Gladstone, Michigan to be closer to family.

Harley was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His family was always most important to him. Harley could tell you anything you wanted to know about Nahma with his outstanding memory and knowledge. He could also tell you the year, make and model of cars just by seeing a taillight or grill. He was generous to a fault and always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. Harley enjoyed going to garage sales and finding treasures to give away to family and friends.

In addition to his loving wife, Christine (Mackie), Harley is survived by son, Scott Bingham; grandsons, James (Shawn) Bingham and Andrew Bingham; granddaughter, Hannah Bingham; sister, Kaleen Rodgers; sisters-in-law, Cherie (Jerry) Drossard, Ann Bingham and Angie Mackie; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Judy and James Hebert; dogs, Chelsey and Danica and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Harley was preceded in death by brothers, Bob and Chuck Bingham, father and mother-in-law, Courtney and Judy Mackie; brothers-in-law, Courtney Mackie Jr. and Bob Rodgers and nephew, Dwayne Feathers, Jr.

A graveside military service at Fernwood Cemetery will be scheduled at a later date. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Bingham family. To offer an online message of sympathy please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.