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Shirley J. Harnish

Shirley J. Harnish, 81, of Van Buren, IN, died Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2017, at 8:32 a.m. at Heritage Pointe of Warren.

Mrs. Harnish graduated from Bluffton High School in 1954 and attended Huntington College for two years. She retired from Taylor University, in Upland, after eight years of service as a secretary in the registrar’s office. She served on the Van Buren Town Council from 1992 to 1996.

She was a member of the Central Christian Church of Van Buren, where she served as a deacon for several years. She was a former member of the Circle G Saddle Club and a long-time member of the Palomino Horse Breeders Association.

She was born Dec. 30, 1935, in Keystone to James E. and Esther E. Addington Lockwood. She married Wayne L. Harnish on July 21, 1954, in Poneto, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 8, 2013.

Survivors include two sons, Brent (Julie) Harnish, of South Bend, and Brian (Cindy) Harnish, of Walkerton; four daughters, Jennifer Southers and Jill (Dennis) Huston, both of Marion; Jean (Victor) Brady, of Beaver Creek, OH; and Judi (Kirk) Kitts, of Elwood; sister-in-law, Karen Harnish, of Sun Lake, AZ; a brother, Don (Marlene) Lockwood, of Delaware, OH; 13 grandchildren, Heather (Billy) Springer, Troy (Jennifer) Harnish, Jaclyn (Matt) Wheeler, Dustin Harnish, Jeff (Heather) Brady, Jonathan (Laurén) Brady, Tyler (Christine) Brady, Megan (Dana) Kilner, Amiee (Jordan) Ingram, Katie Huston, Olivia (Jacob) Bright, Faith Kitts and Hope Kitts; and nine great-grandchildren.

Calling is Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a service following at 1 p.m., at the Van Buren Central Christian Church, 102 S. First St., Van Buren. Rev. Victor Brady and Rev. Jeffrey Brady will officiate. Burial will be at the St. Paul Cemetery, Wells County.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Van Buren Central Christian Church.

Ferguson & Glancy Funeral Home, Van Buren, is in charge of arrangements.