Fairbury – John Eugene Harms, 90, of rural Fairbury died at 3:27 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Heritage Manor, Colfax.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Colfax, with Pastor Connie Frase officiating. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery where military honors will be performed by the John Joda American Legion Post #54, Fairbury. Visitation will be from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2009 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury, and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Dominy Memorial Library Building Fund.

Mr. Harms was born April 7, 1919 in Pleasant Ridge Township, Livingston County, IL the son of Mano and Anna Metz Harms. He married Wilma Jean Winterland on November 11, 1945, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She died October 21, 2008 in Colfax after 62 years of marriage.

Surviving are one daughter, Diane (George) Mulkey, Gainesville, GA, and two sons, Norman (Karen) Harms and Kevin (Louann) Harms of Fairbury.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Scott (Kathryn) Mulkey, Roswell, GA, Angie (Phil) Kratochvil, Fairbury, Daniel (Tracy) Harms, Fairbury, Ryan (Breanne) Harms, Shawnee, KS, Amy (Trey) McGowan, Atlanta, GA, Matthew (Lisa) Harms, Fairbury, Leslie (Mike) Garthaus, Normal, and Rebecca (Kent) Casson, Fairbury, and eleven great-grandchildren, Ainsley, Ashlyn, and Acer Kratochvil, Claire, Elise, and Mary Harms Mulkey, Parker and Tyler Harms, Carter and Addison Harms, and Grace Garthaus.

Also surviving are three sisters, Olive Stephens and Mary Lou King, Fairbury; Verna Ripsch, Morris; four brothers, Sam (LaVerne) Harms, Lexington; Willis (Mildred) Harms, Pontiac; Edwin (Thelma) Harms, Forrest; Donald (Patricia) Harms, Fairbury, and one sister-in-law, Beverly Harms, Peoria. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Carolyn Boles and two brothers, Harold Harms and Glenn Harms.

Mr. Harms was a grain and dairy farmer southwest of Fairbury, semi-retiring in 1992. He served as a dairy cattle superintendent at the Fairbury Fair for over 50 years. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Colfax, the John Joda Post of the American Legion and, the V.F.W. of Fairbury. He was a four-year Army veteran with 38 months overseas during World War II. He was an armored vehicle driver in a machine gun platoon with the 1st Armored Division in North Africa and Italy. He was awarded the Purple Heart on the Anzio Beachhead along with numerous service ribbons from other campaigns.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a loyal brother, and a dedicated friend to his neighbors and fellow Army veterans.