Frank Harlow, Sr.

HARLOW, Frank D., Sr., age 83, of Vandalia, passed away Sunday, October 22, 2023.  Frank was born October 26, 1939 in Bristol, Virginia, son of the late Henry V. and Ruth Mae (McCroskey) Harlow.  He was a retired truck driver with General Motors and attended the Faith Hill Church of God in Fairborn.

Frank was a world-renowned luthier, leaving his deeply rooted legacy in the bluegrass community.  He built resonator guitars and more recently, flat top guitars.  His craftmanship was second to none as evidenced by the number of professional endorsements offered up by top dobro players and bluegrass musicians worldwide.  Over the years, Frank played with numerous bluegrass bands and was a member of the Bluegrass Gospel Aires.

Preceded in death by one daughter, Frankie and one sister, Lala Gausman, Frank is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Henrietta; 3 sons, Frank Harlow Jr. (Holly), Rodney Harlow and Shane Harlow (Jennifer); 2 step-daughters, Kimberly Hyatt and Tonya Moyer; 7 grandchildren, Holly, Shannon, Nicole, Sam, Brittany, Jordan and Brooke; 3 great-grandchildren, Owen, Cadence and Addison; 2 sisters, Eva Thomas and Thelma Brown; 1 brother, Walter Harlow (Shirley); along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, October 27 at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, 139 S. Dixie Dr., Vandalia with Pastor Steve Wagoner officiating.  Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery, Tipp City.  The Harlow family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 4-7 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vandalia Firefighters Association in Frank’s memory.