Jerry Harnacke
[July
19, 2013]
NEW HOLLAND -- Jerry Jay Harnacke, 55,
of New Holland, died Friday, July 19, 2013, at St. Clara's Manor in
Lincoln.
(Below is a copy of
the obituary from the funeral home.)
___
Jerry Jay Harnacke, of New Holland died on July 19,
2013 at St. Clara's Manor in Lincoln surrounded by
family. He went to be with our Lord at 7:15 am on
his 55th birthday following an 8 year battle with
cancer. He was born in Lincoln, Illinois July 19,
1958 as the middle child of Harold and Wilma
Harnacke of rural New Holland. He married June Ann
Sheley on October 6, 1979. She survives.
Other survivors include three sons, Jaron of
Springfield, Justin and Jacob (Bridgette Hyde) of
New Holland; his mother, Wilma Harnacke of Emden;
three brothers: Kenny (Carla) and Quint (Linda) of
New Holland and Alan (Linda) of Elkhorn, Wisconsin;
a sister, Ladonna (Earl) Gass of Emden; his
father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jim and Joan Sheley,
Sr of New Holland; four brothers-in-law, Jim (Susan)
Sheley, Jr. of New Holland, Jerry (Janet) Sheley of
Chatham, Jeff (Carol) Sheley of Littleton, and Jay
(Sheila) Sheley of Lincoln; a sister-in-law, Janelle
(Jason) Buss of Middletown; and several nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his father,
Harold Harnacke of New Holland.
Prior to his illness Jerry was a self-employed
contractor. He had also worked for Blaum
Construction, Harnacke Brothers Lumber, and Grandy
Lumber Company.
|
He was a 1976 graduate of New Holland-Middletown
High School where he served as FFA President, played
center on the basketball team, coronet in the band,
and set the county track record in men's 4 X 400.
Jerry was an active member of the New Holland United
Methodist Church where he served as an usher,
greeter, and member of the Trustee Committee. He was
a former member of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church in New Holland where he served as an elder.
Jerry had also served as a trustee on the boards of
the Village of New Holland, Sheridan Township, and
Richmond Grove Cemetery. He was a former Assistant
Fire Chief of the New Holland Volunteer Fire
Department.
Jerry's journey with cancer inspired everyone who
knew him. Due to his intense determination, his
exceptional medical care, and the tremendous power
of prayer, he lived longer than anyone else being
treated at the Siteman Cancer Center with his type
of cancer. His case was used in the development of
several new testing and treatment options whereby he
continues to help countless other cancer patients
survive with a good quality of life.
Visitation will be from 4:00pm – 7:00pm Sunday, July
21st at Fricke, Calvert, Schrader Funeral Home in
Lincoln. A celebration of life service will be
held at 10:00 am Monday officiated by Rev. Joseph
Snider at New Holland United Methodist Church with
burial immediately following in Richmond Grove
Cemetery in New Holland. Instead of flowers,
memorials may be given to New Holland United
Methodist Church, New Holland Volunteer Fire
Department, Siteman Cancer Center, or St Clara's
Manor.
|