Joe Lyle Harris

Joe L. Harris, 97, Warsaw, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at Millers Merry Manor, Warsaw.

Joe was born Sept. 30, 1925, in Rushsylvania, Ohio, the son of C. Lloyd and Bonnie (Hartsell) Harris. He was united in marriage to Patricia “JoAn” Liston on Jan. 1, 1947.

He was a graduate of Rushsylvania High School in Ohio. After graduation in 1941, Joe proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard the LCI 600 and was a recipient of a Purple Heart. Thanks to the GI Bill, he attended Miami (Ohio) University and Indiana University earning degrees for both a masters in education and a bachelors in education. He taught mathematics for 38 years both in Ohio and Warsaw.

The movie Knute Rocknee inspired him to be a coach. He coached baseball, basketball and football, with his legacy being coaching golf at Warsaw Community High School. His golf teams won 13 NLC titles, eight sectionals, one regional and was State Runner Up 1969.

In 1989, he was named coach of the year of Region 4 in the National Golf Coaches Association. Joe held the office of president of Indiana High School Golf Association from 1994-1995, was awarded the Indiana High School Golf Hall of Fame in 1986, Indiana High School Golf Coach of the Year in 1988, and was the first teacher and coach to receive the Northern Lakes Conference Outstanding Service Award in 1989. He was also the president of Warsaw Community Teachers Association from 1976-1977 and was the president of Warsaw Lions Club from 1991-1992. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and the Warsaw Lions Club.

Joe will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 75 years JoAn Harris and their children Vicky (Ray) Shumowsky, Culver, Bonnie L. (Buck) Eibe, Port Charlotte, Fla., Mike (Annette) Harris, Warsaw, John Harris, Kansas City, Mo. and Jim (Beth) Harris, Warsaw; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in passing by both his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Visitation for the family and friends will be from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw.

A funeral service in celebration of Joe’s life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, 179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

The family kindly request the memorial donations to:
First United Methodist Church, 179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw, IN 46580 or to the donor’s choice

To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com