Memorials

Harry R. Harris, 72, of Tri Lakes, died Saturday, March 29, 2008 at his home.
He was born March 19, 1936 in Salisbury, Pennsylvania a son of Harry L. and Katherine L. (Landis) Harris. His formative years were spent in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. Following his high school graduation from Meyersdale High School, he moved to Winona Lake and received his Bachelor Degree in Education from Grace College. He received Masters of Arts Degree from St. Francis College.
On April 20, 1957 he was united in marriage to F. Anita Harris in California. They made their home in Pennsylvania for a few months before moving to Winona Lake. In 1964, they moved to their home on Little Cedar Lake.
On January 27, 1958 he enlisted in the United States Army, serving as a Chinese linguist in Formosa for 18 months. He was honorably discharged on March 31, 1962.
From 1964 until 1994 he taught Junior High Social Studies, 6th Grade English and Mechanical Arts & Shop at Thorncreek School. He also coached football, basketball, volleyball and track.
He was a member of Tri Lakes Baptist Church, Whitley County and Indiana Retired Teachers Associations, served eight years on the Thorncreek Township Advisory Board and sang for 20 years with the Joyful Sound Gospel Quartet throughout Northeast Indiana.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Anita; three children, Misti Harris of Salinas, California, Susan (Matthew) Bowen of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Matt (Tracy) Harris of Panama City Beach, Florida; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Harris.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at Tri Lakes Baptist Church, 5679 N. Center Street, Columbia City with Pastor David Schiedel, church pastor, officiating. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
The burial will be in Stough Cemetery with military honors presented by the Whitley County Korean Veterans Honor Guard.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Tri Lakes Baptist Church Building Fund.
Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com