Joe Lyle Harris

Joe L. Harris, age 97, of Warsaw, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at Millers Merry Manor, Warsaw, Indiana.

Joe was born on September 30, 1925 in Rushsylvania, Ohio the son of C. Lloyd and Bonnie (Hartsell) Harris. He was united in marriage to Patricia “JoAn” Liston on January 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 WW II 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 M.S. Education and B.S. Education. He taught mathematics for 38 years both in Ohio and Warsaw.

The movie Knute Rocknee inspired him to be a coach. And coach he did: baseball, basketball, football, and his legacy being golf at Warsaw Community High School. His golf teams won 13 NLC titles, 8 sectionals, 1 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 Assoc. 1994-1995, was awarded Indiana High School Golf Hall of Fame in 1986, Indiana High School Golf Coach of the Year 1988, and was the first teacher & coach to receive the Northern Lakes Conference Outstanding Service Award in 1989. He was also the President of Warsaw Community Teachers Assoc. 1976-1977 and the President of Warsaw Lions Club 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 of Culver, Bonnie L. (Buck) Eibe of Port Charlotte, FL, Mike (Annette) Harris of Warsaw, John Harris of Kansas City, MO, and Jim (Beth) Harris of Warsaw; 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in passing by both his parents, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Visitation for the family and friends will be from 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday October 5, 2022, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, 2290 Provident Ct. Warsaw.

A Funeral service in celebration of Joe’s life will be at the First United Methodist Church, 179 S. Indiana St. Warsaw at 11:00 am on Thursday October 6, 2022. 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 of one’s choice