Paul Herschel Harding

HardingDECATUR - Paul Herschel Harding, 79, of Decatur, IL, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at his home, surrounded by family. Funeral mass will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 29, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 407 East Eldorado, Decatur. Visitation will be 5-8 P.M. Thursday, July 28, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. All are welcome at the service and then at a reception at the church at noon Friday, immediately following the graveside service. Paul was born July 9, 1932, in Decatur, to parents Herschel A. and Catherine A. Harding. He married Joyce Elaine Knight on June 6, 1961, in Decatur. Paul graduated from Saint Teresa in 1950. After graduating, Paul served his country in the U.S. Army from 1950-1952, serving in Germany. He was employed by the Decatur Fire Department as a firefighter for 37 ½ years, retiring in 1992 as Battalion Chief. Perhaps the most demanding incident in his years as Battalion Chief was the Norfolk & Western railyard explosion in July of 1974.  Paul was a faithful Roman Catholic, member of the Knights of Columbus, member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a volunteer of many charitable organizations. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Elaine (Knight), children: Paulette, Patricia, Pamela (James Burress), John, Kathryn (David Shane Maple), Jason (Julie Eskew), and Jerold (Kelly Crispin), and his grandchildren: Joseph, Jerry, Angel, Hailey, Sara, Jacob, Kristina, and his sister, Mary (Glen Gary), of Milton, Wisconsin. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Helen, Leo, Robert, and Harold. Special thanks to Decatur Memorial Hospice, especially nurses Jim and Angie for their caring compassion. Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlinger andearl.com Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/