Shelby County Indiana History and Genealogy, Obituaries

Shelby County Indiana
Obituaries

Harris

The Shelbyville News
Tuesday, June 21, 1994
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Harry E. 'Hap' Harris
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Services were held June 11 for Harry E. "Hap" Harris, 83, Largo, Fla., a former St. Paul resident, who died June 9 in Largo. Mr. Harris was born Aug. 6, 1910, in Shelbyville. He married Lola Mae White and she died in 1967. He married Geraldine "Jerry" Patterson Lee in 1970 and she survives.
Mr. Harris and his wife became permanent residents of Largo in 1990. In 1970, he retired from his supervisor position at Allison's, Indianapolis. He was a former member of the St. Paul Kiwanis Club, the Waldron Masonic Lodge, the Evangelical Unite Brethren Church of St. Paul and several square dance organizations.
Survivors are his wife, Largo, Fla., tow sons, Jason Harris, Indianapolis, and Charles Lee, Jr., St. Paul; three daughters, Roberta Harris Tandy, Indianapolis, Patty Lee Gill, St. Petersburg, Fla., and Sue Ann Lee Bass, Greensburg; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brothers and a sister.
Arrangements were handled by the E. James Reece Funeral Home and Crematory, Largo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pinellas Talking Book Library, 12345 Starkey Road, Suite L, Largo, FL 34534-2611 or to the Calvary United Methodist Church, 11000 110th Ave. North, Largo FL 34648.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Indianapolis Star
Marion County, Indiana
Sunday, 29 Oct 1978
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Mrs. Pearl G. Harris, 98, Fairland, widow of Thomas Harris, died Saturday in Riverview Hospital, Noblesville. She had been a cook at the former Palmer restaurant in Indianapolis. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Murphy Mortuary, Shelbyville, with burial in Washington Park East Cemetery in Indianapolis. Her husband was a retired Indianapolis policeman.
Contributed by Phyllis Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Indianapolis Star
Marion County, Indiana
Saturday, 16 Dec 1972
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Thomas Harris Dies; Ex-Police Detective
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Thomas Harris, 89, Fairland, a retired Indianapolis Police Department detective, died yesterday at his home. A resident of Fairland 35 years, he was an Indianapolis policeman for 27 years. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Murphy Mortury [sic--Mortuary] at Shelbyville. Burial will be in Washington Park East Cemetery.
Mr. Harris was a past master of the Fairland Masonic Lodge and past patron of the Order of Eastern Star at Fairland and a member of the Retired Policeman's Association of Indianapolis. Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Pearl Harris.
Contributed by Phyllis Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Shelbyville News
December 16, 1958
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Funeral Services Held in Indianapolis
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Funeral services were held in Indianapolis Monday for Ben Harris, 68, a Shelbyville native, who died suddenly Friday night of a heart attack while attending a lodge meeting.
Mr. Harris, who had lived in Indianapolis for 43 years was a post office employee. He was a member of a Shelbyville Methodist Church, the Moose Ledge and the Federation of Post Office Clerks.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Indianapolis Times
Marion County, Indiana
7 Sep 1957
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MRS. MINERVA HARRIS, 2042 N. Tacoma, died yesterday in a local nursing home at the age of 99. Born in Decatur County, Mrs. Harris lived here 20 years. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Carrie Williams and Mrs. Alice Henninger both of Indianapolis; two sons, Thomas, Fairland; Harry, Shelbyville; eight grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Fairland (Ind.) Cemetery. Friends may call until noon tomorrow at Shirley Brothers Drexel Chapel.
Contributed by Phyllis Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Shelbyville News
Thursday, August 16, 1951
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HARRIS RITES
TO BE FRIDAY
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Funeral services will be held Friday for Mrs. Lena Harris, 57, county woman who was found dead at her home near Fenns Station Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Wilson L. Dalton, deputy Shelby county coroner, stated that Mrs. Harris apparently took her own life sometime after 9:00 a.m. Wednesday by hanging. She was found by her husband, Walter Harris, upon his return home at 3:30 p.m.
MRS. HARRIS was born in Bartholomew county on August 6, 1894, the daughter of George and Emma (Pence) Schuder. Her marriage to Mr. Harris took place on September 15, 1915. Surviving with the husband are a daughter Rosemary Harris at home, and a brother Henry Schuder of Columbus. A son Harold preceded her in death.
Mrs. Harris was a member of the Mt. Auburn Christian Church.
The last rites will be held at the Mutz Funeral Home in Edinburg at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Paul Jones officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven cemetery at Edinburg. Friends may call at the funeral home.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Friday, September 1, 1944
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MATTHEW HARRIS, 63,
DIES AT NEPHEW'S
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Funeral Will Be Held Sat-
urday Afternoon ----------
Matthew Harris, 63, life-long resident of Shelby county, died Thursday afternoon at the home of his nephew, Dale Barlow, in Hendricks township. He had been seriously ill for the past year and death was due to a heart ailment.
The son of George and Eliza Atwood Harris, he was born in Hendricks township on August 28, 1881. Surviving are one brother, Charles Harris, of this city; one sister, Mrs. Vera Kramer, of Batesville, and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Harris was a member of the Bengal Christian Church where funeral services, in charge of Charles M. Ewing, will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock. Burial will be in the Second Mt. Pleasant cemetery. Friends may call at the Barlow home after 5:00 p.m. Friday.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Shelbyville Republican
Friday, October 11, 1940
Page 1 column 1
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HARRIS FUNERAL
TO BE SATURDAY
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Wife of Major L. Harris
Dies of Heart Ailment; Stricken On Trip
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Becoming critically ill while returning from a visit with relatives at St. Paul, Mrs. Emma A. Harris, of this city, died suddenly Wednesday night at 10:20 o'clock in the office of the local physician where she had been taken by her husband. Although she had been in failing health for the past year, her death caused by a heart ailment, was entirely unexpected.
Mrs. Harris was born in Rush county, June 20, 1883, the daughter of Peter and Clarissa Harrison. She was fifty-seven years old. She was a member of the Methodist church.
On December 10, 1909, she was married to Major L. Harris, who survives with an adopted daughter, Mrs. Lucille Wilson, of Indianapolis; two grandchildren; one brother, Raymond Harrison, of Indianapolis; one sister, Mrs. Will Whalen, of Anderson, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Trinity Methodist church Saturday at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Josephine B. Huffer officiating. Burial will be made in Forest Hill cemetery in charge of Loren H. Murphy.
Friends may call at the late home at 52 Mildred street.
Contributed by Barb Huff

The Shelbyville Republican
Thursday April 26, 1934
Page 1 column 2
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FAIRLAND MAN KILLED;
DEAFNESS IS BLAMED
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Partial deafness of Paris Harris, 75 years old, of Fairland, was given by Coroner Thomas Cartmel today as a factor in the accidental death of Mr. Harris late Wednesday afternoon when he was struck by a locomotive of a west-bound Big Four passenger train at a crossing immediately west of the Fairland depot.
Mr. Harris was walking toward his home at the west edge of Fairland at the time of the accident, after having bought a loaf of bread at a Fairland grocery. He was killed instantly. His body was hurled a distance of about 25 feet, the impact caused a fractured neck, a crushed chest, and shattering of the bones in the left hip of the accident victim.
A Mr. Roach, fireman, was the only member of the train crew who saw the accident. Coroner Cartmel learned that Mr. Harris had had several narrow escapes in crossing the railroad tracks. Mr. Harris leaves a widow and five sons and daughters.
Mr. Harris had spent a few hours fishing earlier in the day with a son, Thomas Harris, a member of the Indianapolis force. The son left for Indianapolis at about 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon.
The fast train that struck Mr. Harris was due in Fairland at 4:05, but was a few minutes late. The fireman, seeing the accident, signaled to the engineer, F. P. Berry, to stop the train, and the latter did so. Coroner Cartmel was informed that Mrs. Louis Lee of Fairland was an eye-witness to the accident, from the west side of the tracks, and planned to obtain a statement from Mrs. Lee, as well as from two members of the train crew.
Mr. Harris lived in Shelbyville until about ten years ago, when he and his wife moved to Fairland.
The deceased was born in Monroe county, Indiana, October 14, 1855, the son of George and Eliza Johnson Harris. His marriage to Miss Minerva Hoop took place January 23, 1881. Of nine children born to them, two daughters and three sons survive. They are: Mrs. Carrie McNutt, of Indianapolis; Mrs. Alice Henninger, Indianapolis; Clarence and Harry Harris, of Shelbyville, and Thomas of Indianapolis. Mr. Harris also leaves seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral services will be held in the late home at Fairland Friday afternoon at 3:00 o’clock, and the Rev. W. A. Ryland, pastor of the Fairland M.E. church will officiate. Burial will be in the family lot in the Fairland cemetery, in charge of C. F. Fix & Son. Friends may call at the late home any time after 5:00 p.m. today.
Contributed by Barb Huff
Photo from Boetcker's Picturesque Shelbyville, "First Presbyterian Church Officers," 1909.

The Indianapolis Sunday Star
July 20, 1924
Page 8
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Shelbyville --- John T. Harris, 71 years old, is dead at his home north of here of a complication of diseases. Surviving is the widow, Mrs. Flora E. Harris; one brother, Perry Harris, and two sisters, Miss Martha Harris and Mrs. Ida Shutt, all of Shelby county.
Contributed by Janet McColley Franklin

A Shelbyville Newspaper
Friday, July 18, 1924
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JOHN T. HARRIS IS
DEAD AT FAIRLAND
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John T. Harris, resident of Fairland, died at his home there at 5 o'clocl this morning from a complication of diseases, following seven years illness. For seven years, Mr. Harris had been an invalid and for the past two years has been confined to his bed.
Funeral services will be held at the late home at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon with the Rev. Mr. Pickett officiating. Burial will be made at the Miller cemetery with Piatt & Murphy, funeral directors in charge.
At the time of death, Mr. Harris was 71 years old. He was the son of William and Nancy Harris and was born in Hendricks township, August 29, 1852. On March 13, 1904 he married Miss Flora E. Eads. To this union one son, which died in infancy was born.
Mr. Harris was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Marietta and the Odd Fellows lodge at Lewis Creek. He was also identified with the Pythian Sisters lodge at Fairland.
Besides the widow, one brother, Perry Harris, of Shelbyville, two sisters, Miss Marth Harris, of this county and Mrs. Ida Shutt, of near Marietta, survive.
Friends may call at the late home from 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon up to the hour of the funeral.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The Indianapolis Star
May 22, 1915
Page 4 Column 7
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Deaths in Indiana

SHELBYVILLE -- Frank Harris, 18, is dead at Bengal. His mother survives him.
Contributed by Virginia Latta Curulla

The Indianapolis Star
Marion County, Indiana
Tuesday, 29 Jul 1913
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HUSBAND ENDS LIFE
BEFORE WIFE'S EYES
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Carries Out Half of Threat to
Stop Family's Troubles by
Murder and Suicide.
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The domestic life of Claude Harris, 22 years old, and his 16-year-old wife Marie has been a troubled one. The path led once through Police Court. Numerous pitfalls in the shape of quarrels beset the couple. Their married life ended yesterday at noon when the husband killed himself by drinking poison before his wife of two years.
Dolly Hildebrand, 1613* West Ohio street, was burned about the hands when she attempted to thwart Harris's act. The suicide occurred at the home of Drusela Horrow, 129 North Richland avenue. FULFILLS HIS THREAT. During a quarrel Sunday evening Harris asserted that yesterday he would kill his wife and himself and end trouble for both. He had been out of work and was despondent. Yesterday morning the wife departed from their home at 10 North Bloomington street for that of her mother. Harris followed her. They quarreled again. Harris went into the back yard and Mrs. Harris followed him. He jerked a ring from his finger and a small amount of money from a pocket, tossing them to his wife. He bade her good-by and raised a three-ounce bottle of poison to his lips. Before he had drunk the entire contents of the bottle Dolly Hildebrand reached him. He had swallowed enough of the poison, however, to cause his death an hour later. Coroner Durham has taken up an investigation.
__________
*Submitter's note: This number was difficult to read on my copy of this obituary and may not be exact here. Below are more articles.
Contributed by Phyllis Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Indianapolis Star
Marion County, Indiana
Tuesday, 29 Jul 1913
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HARRIS, CLAUDE V. -- Died July 28, 11:30 a.m., aged 22 years. Funeral Wednesday, July 30, 2 p.m., 129 Richland street. Friends invited. Burial at Mt. Jackson.
The Indianapolis Star
Marion County, Indiana
Thursday, 31 Jul 1913
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Claude N.* Harris, 22 years, 129 Richland st., carbolic acid poisoning, suicidal.
__________
*Submitter's note: On the article above and on his marriage document with Marie Gilman the middle initial is a "V." On his tombstone, it is a "W."
Contributed by Phyllis Fleming and Betty Kitchen

The Shelbyville Republican
Saturday July 5, 1913
Page 4 column 2
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DEATHS AND FUNERALS
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Mrs. Melvina A. Harris died at her residence, No. 727 west Second Street, Saturday morning at 7:15 o'clock of paralysis. Her death was sudden and hastened by an attack of apoplexy. Her relatives did not realize that she was in a serious condition until late Friday night. Mrs. Harris was a native of Kentucky, but while yet a small child removed to this county with her parents. She has resided in this city for the past twenty-two years. Mrs. Harris was fifty-nine years of age at the time of her death. She was a member of the First Baptist church of this city.
She is survived by two sons, Ben F., who lived with his mother, and Major L. Harris, of this city; one daughter, Matilda C. Harris; two step-sons, Albert and Edward Harris, both of this city; three step-daughters, Mrs. William Robins, of Bartholomew county, Mrs. Lon Conway of Edinburg, and Mrs. Louis Hall of Johnson county.
The funeral services will be held at the Vine street M.P. church Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. A. W. Conn officiating. Interment will be made in the Forest Hill cemetery in charge of Stewart & Fix.
Contributed by Barb Huff for Ellen Jones

The Shelbyville Republican
Saturday, March 20, 1909
Page 1 column 2
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Tiffer D. Harris died at his home at 193 East Walker street this morning at two-thirty o'clock, the result of senility, aged seventy-eight years, eleven months and twenty days. Besides a widow he leaves eight children; William, Albert, Major, Benjamin, Mrs. Ella Robins, of Clifford, Lizzie Hill, of Johnson county, Mrs. Rose Conway, of Marietta, and Miss Tillie Harris, who resides at home. The funeral services will be held at his late home at two o'clock Sunday afternoon, the Rev. O. A. Cook, pastor of the First Baptist church, officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill cemetery in charge of Stewart & Fix.
Contributed by Barb Huff for Ellen Jones

The Franklin Democrat
Friday, March 19, 1897
Volume XXXVII, Number 36
Page 1, column 3
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Wm. Harris, age seventy-two years, an old pioneer of Shelby county, died Sunday at his home, south of Bengal, from congestion of the lungs. Funeral services were held Tuesday conducted by Rev. Linhart. Burial at the Phillips cemetery.
Contributed by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry

The Shelby Democrat
July 17, 1890
Page 3
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Infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. D. Harris, died at their residence on East Walker street at 2 o'clock Monday morning, and was buried at Forest Hill cemetery at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. D. B. Wilson, funeral director.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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