Wayne Harter

Wayne Harter, age 90 of Wakarusa, died at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Hubbard Hill Estates of natural causes.   He was born November 19, 1932 in Wakarusa to Earl and Bertha Weldy Harter.  He married Helen Pletcher June 1, 1951. She preceded him in death December 11, 1954, leaving 2 daughters who survive, Coleen (Doug) Steele, Wakarusa and Wanda (Kenneth) Heckathorn, Nappanee.  His 2nd marriage was to Barbara Detweiler August 25, 1955 whom survives as well as a son, James (Tina) Harter, Wakarusa.  All 3 children are living within 3 miles of the family farm.  There are 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren who also survive.  He was preceded in death by sisters, Miriam Nunemaker, Violet Schrock, and Letha Nafziger Swanson.  He moved to his parents in 1941 to their farm on CR 3 in Wakarusa.  This became his home for the rest of his life.  This farm was settled by his great great grandfather, Jacob and Margaret (Holdeman) Freed who moved from Ohio in 1849 and built the original buildings.  Jacob became an ordained Pastor at Holdeman Mennonite Church in 1951.   Wayne began farming through 4-H projects in the 1940’s.  He was a lifetime farmer operating a dairy farm until retirement.  Wayne was awarded The Outstanding Young Farmer Award by the Goshen Jaycees in 1955.  The family was awarded The Elkhart County Farm Family of the year in 1975.  After his retirement, Wayne spent 8 years managing The Food Pantry at Church Community Service in Elkhart.  Mr. Harter was baptized in the Holdeman Mennonite Church in Wakarusa at the age of 12.  He began teaching Sunday School as a teenager and continued until age 80.  He graduated from Wakarusa High School in 1950 and took two short farm courses from Purdue University.  He spent 20 years as a 4-H leader and worked with Boys Clubs in Elkhart.  He served on Marketing Boards for dairy organizations for many years along with local and state associations for Ayshire Breeders Association. In the early 1970’s, he joined Gideons International and remained active until death.  He had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Gideons in many surrounding community churches over fifty times.  Wayne’s hobbies were collecting farm tractors from the 1950’s.  He enjoyed history, passing out God’s Word, reading and the opportunity to go on Mission trips to Russia and Ukraine with Josh McDoll Ministries.  He traveled to Israel, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and most of the states.  Probably the most memorable trip was taking 17 members of his family on a cruise to the Caribbean.  Wayne’s family feels blessed throughout their life with many opportunities made possible by him.  Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m., Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Wakarusa, followed by a 11 a.m. funeral service also at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in Olive East Cemetery.   Memorial contributions may be given to the Nappanee Camp of Gideons International.