Wayne Lloyd Harsh

Oct. 9, 1929 - May 11, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Wayne Lloyd Harsh, 82, of Piedmont Way in South Bend, died Friday in the home of his daughter, Susan, who had been his caregiver the past three years. Wayne was born on October 9, 1929, to Frederick and Rose (Bunch) Harsh, both of whom preceded him in death. Wayne was a graduate of James Whitcomb Riley High School, attended Franklin College, where he was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, leaving to serve in the Army during the Korean War. He graduated from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame. On June 25, 1956, he married Mary Ellen Makielski, who preceded him in death on August 11, 2007. He has three daughters, Rosemary (Karl) Kopec of Granger, Susan Harsh of South Bend and Kathy (Bill) Jonas of South Bend. He has seven grandchildren, Clare Kopec, Jessi, Mark and Mary Adams, and Amy, Ben and John Jonas. Wayne is survived by a sister, Grace Kline of South Bend. A sister, Helen Bratton, and two brothers, A. Vance Harsh and Kenneth Shafer, are deceased. Wayne taught U.S. History and social studies at Washington High School for 32 years, retiring in 1989. He worked at the St. Joseph County Public Library after retirement and eventually became a longtime volunteer in the local and family history department, where he helped create a Local History Database. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Indiana University Hoosiers - enjoying the 2011 Cardinals World Series win and the IU basketball resurgence this past season. His family and friends will miss his sense of humor and his fun-loving nature. He had many passions including reading, traveling, jazz, history, writing and Democratic politics. His travels across the U.S. and Europe with Mary Ellen and his two-month trip to India with other social studies teachers as a part of the Indiana Consortium for International Education were highlights of his life. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 14, at the Palmer Funeral Home, Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the funeral home. Pastor James Mandeville of Bethel Chapel, LaPorte, will preside. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the St. Joseph County Public Library Annual Fund, 304 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601.