Wayne Harter

Wayne Harter, 90, of Wakarusa, died at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, at Hubbard Hill Estates of natural causes.

He was born Nov. 19, 1932, in Wakarusa to Earl and Bertha Weldy Harter. He married Helen Pletcher on June 1, 1951. She preceded him in death Dec. 11, 1954, leaving two daughters who survive, Coleen (Doug) Steele, Wakarusa, and Wanda (Kenneth) Heckathorn, Nappanee. His second marriage was to Barbara Detweiler on Aug. 25, 1955; she survives as well as a son, James (Tina) Harter, Wakarusa. All three children are living within three miles of the family farm. There are seven 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 C.R. 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 1940s. 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 eight 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 1970s, 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 50 times. Wayne's hobbies were collecting farm tractors from the 1950s. 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 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Wakarusa, followed by an 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.