Obit: Harris, John Franklin (1924 - 2009)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Harris, Krohn, Penn, Pierce, Risum, Vieth, Wigstadt, Wold   
 

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI), Wednesday, July 3, 2009, Online Edition 
 

Harris, John Franklin (February 24, 1924 - June 27, 2009) 
 

John Franklin Harris, age 85, died Saturday, June 27, 2009, at Mercy Hospital, Janesville, Wisconsin.

 
He was born February 24, 1924, in Medford, the son of Fred and Mabel (Penn) Harris.  
 

He was a graduate of Dorchester High School. John married Vera L. Risum on July 2, 1946, in Brodhead, Wisconsin, and they made their home in Evansville for 47 years, moving to Janesville 13 years ago.

 
John worked for General Motors as a spot welder and Inspector for 31 years before retiring in 1978. He loved camping, animals, traveling, and especially visiting family.

 
John is survived by his daughter, Donna (Larry) Wold of Janesville; his sons, Robert (Sandee) Harris of Middleton, Michael (Wendy) Harris of Sun Prairie, Carl (Jill) Harris of Evansville; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Ethel Vieth of Escanaba, Michigan; several nieces, nephews and his beloved cat, Kaylee.

 
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Harris in 1998; his parents; two infant siblings; a brother, Linwood Harris; and three sisters, Ellen Pierce, Grace Wigstadt and Beatrice Krohn.

 
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, at the Ward Funeral Home in Evansville with Reverend David Krohn of Brodhead officiating. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be held later in Maple Hill Cemetery, Evansville, Wisconsin.

 
"Dad always enjoyed having family and friends around and kept in touch with everyone! He will be certainly missed by all who knew him."