Harvey J. Amen

Harvey John Amen, age 79, passed away on November 7, 2025 at the Avow Hospice Inpatient

facility in Naples Florida after a 9 month battle with cancer. He fought a courageous battle all

the way till the end.

Harvey was born and raised in Chicago Illinois where he attended Austin High School. While

he was at Austin, he was a star athlete in both basketball and baseball. He pitched the entire

city championship game in Wrigley Field and went on to win the game. He was scouted by

many major league teams and received offers to sign with the Boston Red Sox and the New

York Yankees. He was advised by his high school coach to further his education and pitching

talents so he took a scholarship to a small school in Iowa. In his second year of college he

injured his arm and unfortunately that ended any hopes of a major league career. Harvey met

his high school sweetheart, Shirley, while at Austin. They were married on September 30, 1967

and had 58 wonderful years together. Three months after they were married he was drafted

into the Army. He served his first year in the states learning to be a radio operator and was

then sent to Vietnam and was assigned to to the 11th Armored Cavalry Division operating

around Saigon. While in Vietnam Harvey was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained

in combat. He was always proud of his service to his country. Once discharged from the

service Harvey returned to school and received his bachelor’s degree in education and also a

master’s degree in Recreational Administration. He taught physical education in grades K-8 for

seven years.

His passion was always coaching boys baseball and he was instrumental in organizing an

American Legion team in Carol Stream Illinois. He and his assistant coaches actually built the

American Legion field at the American Legion in Carol Stream. The field, to this day, is stilled

being used by one of the area colleges.

After leaving teaching, Harvey went into Educational Sales and worked for Harcourt Brace,

Steck Vaughn and a few other major educational publishers. A major change in his career

came when he was encouraged to become an “independent book representative” by a dear

friend. He was very successful and respected by all major publishing companies. He

remained in sales for nearly 30 years and retired when the focus changed from supplemental

materials to more computer based products.

Harvey was instrumental in establishing a preschool at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol

Stream Illinois and was also named “Citizen of the Year” for both his preschool efforts and the

American Legion team.

At the young age of 50, Harvey decided to take up the game of golf. It became one of his

sports obsessions. After retirement we started spending more and more time in Marco Island

FL, first as snowbirds and then later we became full time residents in 2021. In 2011 we joined

the Island Country Club on Marco Island. This was the highlight of his retirement. We have

met the most wonderful friends and they have surrounded us with love each and every day.

Harvey is preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Edna Amen (nee Waalk) and his

brother, Gerald and sister-in-law Gail (née Jensen).

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley (née Loveall) a daughter, Heather Lynn Vulpone

(née Amen), son-in-law Joseph Vulpone, a son, Brett Scott, daughter-in-law Valerie (née

Schackmann) and five wonderful grandsons, Tyler, Benjamin and Nathan Vulpone, Everett and

Barrett Amen. Harvey also leaves behind a loving sister Faith Lowe (née Amen), brother-in-law

Robert, brother-in-law James Loveall, sister-in-law Emily (née Lin) and numerous nephews and

nieces, along with many great nephews and great nieces.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.A celebration of life will beheld at 11:00am on December 3, 2025 at Marco Lutheran Church,

525 N. Collier Blvd, Marco Island, Fl 34145, with a luncheon to follow in the church hall.

A second celebration of life will be held at Countryside Funeral Home, 950 S. Bartlett Rd,

Bartlett IL on December 27, 2025 from 1:00 -4:00pm

In lieu of flowers, please honor Harvey with a donation to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, in his name