John Franklin Harris, Janesville/Evansville  (1924 - 2009)

February 24, 1924 - June 27, 2009
John Franklin Harris, 85, died Saturday, June 27, 2009, at Mercy Hospital, Janesville, WI. He was born on Feb. 24, 1924, in Medford, WI, 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, WI, 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, and Carl (Jill) Harris of Evansville; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Ethel Vieth of Escanaba, MI; 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, 2009, 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.”