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Jay Harms Obituary
PEORIA - Jay E. Harms, 89, of Peoria passed away at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at the Christian Buehler Home in Peoria.
He was born on Dec. 14, 1920, in Peoria, the son of Edward A. and Helen (Canterbury) Harms. They preceded him in death, along with one brother and one sister.
On May 3, 1947, he married Rita K. Haas in Peoria. She survives.
He is also survived by one daughter, Suzanne M. Himes of Peoria; four sons, Dr. James (Ellen) Harms of Champaign, Jay C. (Nancy) Harms of East Peoria, John T. Harms of Peoria and Allen E. Harms of Peoria. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Stephen (Jessica) Harms of Champaign, Leslie (Joseph) Rydberg of Chicago, Jill Harms of Champaign, Johanna Harms of Champaign, Jennifer (Michael) Mahle of Morton, Robert (Kristie) Harms of Bartonville, Kathryn Himes of Washington, D.C., Spencer Himes of Charleston, S.C., Audrey Himes of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Lindsay Harms of Peoria; and four great-grandchildren.
He was an Army Air Corps veteran, serving as a second lieutenant and was a navigator of a B29.
Jay was the past owner of Standard Sheet Metal Works for 40 years before his retirement in 1985.
He was a charter member of the Peoria North Rotary Club, a member of the Richwoods-Peoria Heights Lyons Club. He was a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers Inc. He served as an officer in the Peoria Sheet Metal Association, and served as an officer of the State Sheet Metal Association. He was a counselor to the National Sheet Metal Association. He served as a trustee for the Sheet Metal Workers Health and Welfare Fund. Jay was also a member of the Construction Commission for the city of Peoria. He was a member of the Mayor's Task Force on major construction. He was a member of the Construction Specification Institute (C.S.I) and the American Arbitration Association.
He was a member of St. Philomena Parish, where a Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Father Donald R. Henderson will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Clary Funeral Home, 428 W. McClure Ave., Peoria. Entombment will be at Resurrection Mausoleum, where military rites will be conducted.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Philomena's Scholarship Fund or PARC.
Jay's memorial Web site and online condolences may be accessed at www.ClaryFunerals.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jay Harms
March 20, 2010
To the Harms family, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My memories of our families together go back many years. Our parents were the best of friends and your father was a wonderful man that will be missed.
Pete Immel, Chandler, AZ
Kathleen Ward
March 17, 2010
I was unfortunate to have known Jay for only a short time, but my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Especially to his lovely wife Rita, who I came to know and respect. My God bless you all in this time of sadness of losing a loved one.
TED KERRN
March 13, 2010
JAY WAS ONE OF FINEST FRIENDS I EVER HAD, WE HAD LUNCH ONCE A WEEK FOR MANY MANY YEARS. ALWAYS FUN TO BE AROUND-- HE WILL MISSED
George Milaccio
March 12, 2010
To John and Jay Harms, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your Dad was a great guy and contributed many hours to SMACNA and ASHRAE and other industry organizations that helped make the construction industry a better place.
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Amanda Ansel
March 11, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and all whos lives were touched by Jay Harms. Looking at all he has accomplished in his lifetime, I am sure that there are many warm memories to reflect on and envelope you all while you mourn for this great man.
Andy Roberts
March 11, 2010
To Al & family,
We are very sorry to hear of this sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss.
RICK & LYNN PARRY
March 11, 2010
Jay, I'm sorry to hear of your father's death. He certainly achieved quite a bit during his life time and many people benefited from him efforts.
Lynn and Rick Parry
Debbie Rummel
March 11, 2010
To the Harms Family,
I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathies to you all in the passing of JE. I always enjoyed seeing JE check in at Standard to see how everything was going after he retired. He loved living life and loved his family. I know he will be missed by you all.
God Bless....
Linda (Grant) Ennis
March 11, 2010
Rita, John and family,
I would like to extend my deepest
condolences to you and your family.
It saddens me to learn of Jay's passing. Jay truly was a great man and I know he will be missed by many people, as well as by you and your family.
May God bless and sustain each of you during your time of sorrow.
Carol Gutierrez
March 11, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Please try to remember all the good times and know he is in a better place. I always thought a lot of you and Jay.
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