Larry Harker

Harker, Larry
Larry Harker, 87, died June 5, 2015 in Sun City West, Arizona. He was born on May 13, 1928, in Bartholomew County, Indiana, to Lester Harker and Esther (Hack) Harker. He graduated from Columbus, Indiana, High School in 1946, despite numerous absences during his senior year due to unsanctioned field trips to Indianapolis to hear jazz bands. Larry married Katherine Newsom in Columbus in 1948, and they had two daughters, Linda and Sally. In 1974 he married Betty (Katski) Stiles, who preceded him in death in 2012. Larry moved with his family to Phoenix in 1960, where he was employed as service manager for Mecham Rambler before starting his own auto repair business, Larry Harker's Auto Repair, in 1967. He retired in 1989. His business still thrives under the ownership of his former employees and close friends Bob and Ellen Frisby. Larry loved attending performances of jazz and big band music, reading about cars, fixing all kinds of electrical and mechanical devices, forwarding prodigious amounts of Internet humor to his relatives and acquaintances, and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his daughters Linda Schallan (Joe) and Sally Henrie (Ray); his grandchildren Matt Schallan, Leia Brewer (Mark), and Hiram Henrie (Ashley); his great-grandchildren Norene Henrie and Micah, Adalynn, Levi, Isaac, and Caleb Brewer; and by stepdaughter Susie Sherwood (Jim), and their children and grandchildren; stepson Robert Stiles; and the children and grandchildren of stepson Bill Stiles, who passed away in 2011. Larry is also survived by his high-school sweetheart, Pauline Dye, with whom he was reunited after 65 years, and to whom his daughters extend their love and appreciation. Services will be private.