James R. Harshbarger

James R. Harshbarger, 83, of Lima, died 2:45 p.m., Thurs. Sept. 9, 2010, at The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH. He was born Jan. 9, 1927, in Wapakoneta, the son of Joseph & Ada (Seifert) Harshbarger, who preceded him in death. On Sept. 27, 2003, he married Esther J. Hahn Hooker, and she survives in Lima. Other survivors include, 3 children, Deborah (Jack) Madden, Christine (Dave) Hibner, Nicholas Harshbarger, all of Wapakoneta, 2 step-children, Linda (Richard) Offenbacher, Bonita Springs, FL, Deborah (Daniel) Miller, New Bern, NC, 6 grandchildren, Jamie (Shane) Allemeier, & Danielle Harshbarger, both of Wapakoneta, Jessica (Nate) Groh, Elida, OH, Kelly (Donnie) Kalb, & Todd Hibner, both of Cincinnati, Emily (Jon) Sharp, Hawaii, 6 step-grandchildren, Amanda (Sean) Bieber, Winterville, NC, Andrew (Kerry) Miller, Center Valley, PA, Shawn (Renne) Offenbacher, Tempe, AZ, Kelley Offenbacher, Alpharetta, GA, Joseph (Ashley) Miller, Hutto, TX, Anthony Miller, Washington, DC, 7 great grandchildren, Cate, Olivia, & Jack Allemeier, Emma & Jake Groh, Sophia Kalb, & Owen Sharp, 6 step-great grandchildren, Sydney & Caden Bieber, Adam Miller, Sam Miller, Mackenzie Miller & Tucker Offenbacher, a sister, Helen Presar, Wapakoneta. He was preceded in death by a former wife, Kathryn (Sibert) Harshbarger, 2 sisters, Janell Sealschott & Betty Grigsby, and 2 brothers, Donald & Richard Harshbarger. Mr. Harshbarger retired as plant superintendant from Excello- Airfoil Textron, Lima, where he had worked 37 years. A 1945 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Wapakoneta, he was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, Lima. At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Navy, and served during W.W. II in the South Pacific on the USS Naifeh Destroyer Escort and the USS Stockham Destroyer. He was a life member of the V.F.W., Alvin Metzger Post #8445, and a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Aerie #691, both of Wapakoneta. His hobbies included spending time with his children, grandchildren, & great grandchildren, fishing, hunting, gardening, wood working, playing poker, taking trips to Alaska, watching sports especially football, and his dogs, Hammer & Pete. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thurs. Sept. 16, 2010, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta, Rev. Steve Blum officiating. Burial is to follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Wapakoneta, where military rites will be conducted by the Wapakoneta V.F.W. The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m., Wed. Sept. 15, and 9-10 a.m., Thurs. at the Bayliff & Eley Funeral Home, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta. Memorial contributions may be directed to the James Cancer Hospital, Columbus.

James R. Harshbarger

January 9, 1927 - September 9, 2010