Harry James Harnish

Harry James Harnish, 92, of Knox, formerly of Lamartine, went home to be with his Lord and Savior in December 2024, at the Highland Oaks at Water Run Personal Care Home, Clarion, after many years of declining health.

Born November 1932, in St. Petersburg, he was the son of the late Horatio and Dorothy Harnish.

He was a 1951 graduate of St. Petersburg High School and a member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Lamartine.

Harry was married in the Salem Lutheran Church on June 1957, to Helen, who predeceased him in 2015 after 57 years of marriage.

Harry served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. He was a corporal in the 1641 HQ Battery 30th Field Artillery in Germany. He worked as a machinist and tool grinder at Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company in Franklin until it closed. Harry then worked in Columbus, OH for Rockwell International as a machinist. He ended his working years at FRB Machine Shop in Emlenton, retiring on his 62nd birthday to care for his wife.

Harry was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a lifelong member of the Salem Lutheran Church. Harry served as Sunday School Superintendent, taught the adult Sunday School class, served on the board, and was in charge of the upkeep of the Salem Lutheran cemetary. He was the tax collector of Salem Township for over 12 years, with Helen assisting with the duties while Harry worked. Harry could fix anything as was evidenced by friends and strangers bringing lawn tractors, push mowers, chain saws, etc. to his home. He also went to people’s houses to repair their appliances. Harry would only charge for the parts, never for the labor.

Harry is survived by his children Brenda Ciancio and her husband Robert, Patty Hildenbrand and her husband Wayne, Jeff Harnish and his wife Judy, and a son-in-law Brian Rader. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jennifer and Christopher Manson, Christine Rost, Amanda Hildenbrand, Tamara Rader, and Nicholas and Emily Harnish.

Also surviving are five great-grandchildren, Tara and Marissa Didolce, Everly and Conor Manson, and Emily Rost.

Harry is also survived by one sister, Mildred Steele, a sister-in-law Jean Pilot, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife Helen, Harry was preceded in death by daughter Cindy Rader, stepfather Walter Confer, brothers Ronald, Leroy (Roy), Meryl (Skip), and Richard, sisters Goldie Harnish and Violet (Toot) Theur, sisters-in-law Geraldine Harnish and Marian Harnish, brothers-in-law William Cunchula and William Steele, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to sincerely thank the friends who cared for Harry since Helen’s passing, as well as the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice Team, and staff at Highland Oaks at Water Run Personal Care Home.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm Friday at the McEntire-Weaver Funeral Home, 504 East Penn Ave., Knox and from 10 to 11 am Saturday at the Salem Lutheran Church in Lamartine.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am Saturday at the Salem Lutheran Church, 2057 Route 208, Lamartine, with Pastor Shawn Morgan of Fern Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church officiating.

Interment will follow at the Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Clarion-Forest VNA, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion, PA 16214.

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