Maurice R. Harshaw

Maurice R. Harshaw, 92, a resident of Fredonia, died Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at Golden Living Center-Fredonia. He was born in Oswego, August 21, 1916 to Oliver Henry Harshaw and Ona Gail Wilkins, and graduated from Altamont High School in 1934. He was the oldest of eight, five boys and three girls. He lived in rural Labette County on the family farm near Oswego until he joined the Army in 1941 and served until 1949. On July 5, 1942 he married Dorothy Harper in North Augusta, South Carolina. Maurice lived a life of simplicity and modeled the lessons of discipline and persistence. Those who loved him will cherish these lessons and their impact on their lives. He is survived by his daughters, Gail Harshaw, Fredonia and Susan Kissinger (Jack), St. Louis; his grandchildren, Alex and Rory Hamilton; Jessie Kissinger; Ben, Hannah, Kellen and Daniel Selk; his great granddaughters, Zoe, Sophia and Makayla Hamilton; and a special niece, Mary Lynn Walker and her family. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, son Robert, daughter Sally and two brothers. His stories of adventure as a young man included a trip to the Indianapolis 500, climbing Pikes Peak and a trip to Mexico with friends. He was a man of vision, who raised turkeys long before the public embraced turkey as an option to beef and pork and built a successful mobile home park providing both permanent and temporary housing for newcomers to the community. For years, Maurice, in his brown Jewel Tea truck advertising Maurice"s Appliance Repair, was a comforting sight as he repaired malfunctioning appliances throughout the county. He retired in 1990 and continued to enjoy community service and gardening. His service to the community included a trip to the Blood Mobile every time it came to town. He served as a member of Fredonia"s severe weather watch and civil defense teams and as a volunteer driver for Emergency Medical Services that required some harrowing trips on Old 96 driving accident victims to Wichita. He drove people to out-of-town Doctor"s appointments and cancer treatments, and with his wife Dorothy delivered meals on wheels. The Methodist Church played a vital role in his life and his part included usher, locksmith, and Trustee. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Monday, December 22, 2008 at 11:00 A.M.. with Rev. Charlotte Coates officiating. Burial will be in the Fredonia City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Maurice"s name to the First United Methodist Church Window Restoration Fund and may be sent to the funeral home. Memorial messages may be left for the family on this website. Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, KS, 66736 is in charge of the arrangements. PLEASE NOTE: THE MEMORIAL SERVICE DATE IS MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2008