Mr. John Thomas Harmon

John Thomas Harmon, 78, of Columbus, IN, died Jan. 10, 2025. The son of Wilson Patrick and Wilma Alice Harmon (née Hurst), he was born Jan. 6, 1947 in Chicago and grew up in Griffith, IN. He graduated from Griffith High School (1964) and the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, where he received his B.A. in journalism in 1968, but his long career had already been launched, writing a sports "bulletin" on an 01 Underwood typewriter at the age of 10, and contributing a high school sports column to the local Griffith Shopper, a weekly advertising paper in his hometown while in high school. After graduation, John ("J.T.") was drafted into the Marine Corps. He would have gone to Vietnam, had a fellow marine-from a military family-not asked John to trade places with him. Instead of going overseas, John served as a reporter for the Great Lakes Bulletin, the military's longest-running newspaper, and the nearby Waukegan News Sun Waukegan, IL. After his service, John went to the Joliet Herald-News where he met his wife of 49 years, Mildred (Millie) Margaret (née Ferak). They were married in Joliet, IL at her family parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Nov. 8, 1975. John's journalism career brought him to the Daily Reporter (Greenfield, IN), the Palladium Item (Richmond, IN), and The Republic (Columbus, IN). John covered many exciting sporting events, college and pro, but most of the action was the local high schools. Highlights included a special section saluting Columbus North head coach Bill Stearman and a one-on-one interview with Indiana University's Bob Knight for that same section. But, he always rooted for the Chicago White Sox and the Iowa Hawkeyes. On "the news side," John was in awe of two interviews at Ohio University: famed Titanic explorer Robert Ballard and equally awesome Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal.
John won several awards for his commitment to solid journalism and local coverage, including a Copley Newspapers "Ring of Truth Award" for "Best Local Sports Story" (1972, Joliet Herald-News); two first place United Press International awards for "Best Single Feature" and "Best Editorial Writing" at the Greenfield Daily Reporter in 1983; and first place Hoosier State Press Association Awards for "Distinguished Community Service" (1984, Greenfield Daily Reporter), "Distinguished Editorial Writing" (1985, Greenfield Daily Reporter), and "Best Editorial Page," (with Harry McCrawley, 1992, Columbus Republic). While in Greenfield, J.T. and his "troop of six" stormed Hancock County in the midst of multiple controversies-the Big Blue River Reservoir, a new public library, and the welfare department debacle. Short story: the reservoir "evaporated," and the welfare board resigned. Composer of hundreds of weekly columns, filed under "The Editor's Notebook," John's commitment to education, local public service, and humor was appreciated by his readers in central Indiana. His final role was held at the The Republic, where he was the longest-serving editor in the paper's history, completing nearly 18 years (1990-2008).
John was active in a number of institutions, and loaned his organizational skills to Human Services, Inc., Leadership Bartholomew County (where he served as moderator 1994-1995), the Indianapolis Museum of Art-Columbus Gallery, and Columbus East High School's Senior Projects. He usually was called upon to serve as president. Other memberships included Home-School Partnerships, Healthy Communities Initiative, and the Gang and Drug Task Force.
Music was another Harmon trait. He savored Bob Dylan and the Beatles. He wrote many songs and played several instruments. John was a member of the work-based Flying Pasters (rock); the Critney Family Band (folk); the St. Bartholomew Men's Ministry Choir (spiritual); the beloved and multi-generational Plastic Harmon Band (oldies); and the "Dawgs" (himself!). In every band, John lent his organizational expertise and whatever musical support was needed-a voice, keyboards, a banjo, a mandolin, or a 12-string guitar-and a keen respect for his fellow musicians and listeners. John also volunteered as a musician, playing in groups at area nursing homes in Columbus. His love for music, and the many recordings he made with his family, is a gift that keeps on giving.
The Harmon household was always a welcoming spot for multiple dogs of the mixed breed variety. Aside from childhood dogs (such as the infamous Pretzel), John and Millie rescued and cared for 11 dogs, many of whom came from the Bartholomew County Humane Society, an organization from which John was notorious for walking away with yet another adoptee.
After his newspaper career, John created and ran a small business loan program at Human Services, Inc. in Bartholomew County, from which he retired in 2019. He also served as financial secretary for his local chapter of the Knights of Columbus Council 1414. John was an active member of the K of C 1414, which he joined shortly after his move to Columbus, IN in 1987. John loved the Catholic Church and was a long-time parishioner of St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus, IN, with his Saint Joseph Sunday Missal in hand.
John was immensely proud of his family history, starting with his roots in Ireland (which he visited with his sister, brother-in-law, and daughter in 2004) and his home of "The Region" where his father worked for the Standard Oil Company and all his aunts, uncles and cousins rooted for the Sox. He was proud of his children and grandchildren in all their careers and hobbies. He attended every basketball game and academic team meet of his children, regardless of its location in the Hoosier Hills Conference, and was proud that his children all attended Indiana colleges (Valparaiso, Purdue University, and Ball State). "Grandpa John" followed all the interests of his grandchildren-from basketball to music and art.
John is survived by his wife, Mildred "Millie" Margaret Harmon (née Ferak); daughter, Katharine Elizabeth (Matthew Sherman) Harmon; sons, Andrew Wilson (Emma) Harmon and William Matthew (Sheana) Harmon; grandchildren, Mary Katharine, John Michael, Bennett Charles, and Jasper Krieg; sister, Lynn Ann Harvey; niece, Traci (Paul) Rossman; nephew, Patrick (Lori) Harvey; and great nieces and nephews, Mackenzie, Jared, Jacob, Isabella and Logan. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Charles Harvey, and infant daughter, Margaret Anne (Dec. 18, 1980).
John shared his passions for sports, music, history, humor, dogs, and family with all around him. He will be missed. John's family is grateful to all who helped them during his illness, especially Marthajane Schwab who assisted him daily, and neighbors John and Theresa Amstutz and Marsha Gottwalles.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with Father Clem Davis presiding. Visitation will be held Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. A live stream of the funeral service may be viewed online at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church.
Mr. Harmon will be laid to rest at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bartholomew County Humane Society.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with John's family and a tribute video may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.