Homer Henry Harris

Homer Henry Harris, age 84, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday evening, August 3, 2011, in New Dawn Retirement Center at Dover following a period of declining health.A son of the late Ernest and Clara Lawver Harris, Homer was born at New Philadelphia on September 25, 1926.He was a graduate of New Philadelphia High School and entered into the United States Navy and served his country as a Pharmacist Mate during World War II. While in the service, Homer was assigned to Navy Pier at Chicago, Illinois and earned certification from Century College of Medical Technology as an X-ray technician as well as a laboratory technician. On July 12, 1946, Homer married the former Mary C. “Candy” Leone at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois. As a couple, they reared three children and celebrated 59 years of marriage prior to Mary’s death on January 27, 2006.Homer retired in 1987 from the Timken Company where he served the company for 37 years as a Metallurgical Researcher. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, listening to the music of the “Rat Pack”, and traveling, especially to Las Vegas. Additionally, he always took time to manicure his lawn and ensure his vehicles were well cared for. Above all, he looked forward to spending time with his family and was proud of each of their individual accomplishments.He was a long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Carl C. Stoller Post 1445 of the New Philadelphia VFW and a former member of the New Philadelphia Elks Lodge #510.Homer’s determined spirit and his love for adventure in life was admired by his family. He will forever be cherished by two daughters, Patricia Slimack and her husband, Dr. Nicholas Slimack of Illinois, Sherry Johnson of New Philadelphia; a son, Ernie Harris of New Philadelphia and a nephew, Geraldo Nunziato Leone of Chicago, Illinois.Six grandchildren, Heather (Christian) Hunt of Dublin, Ohio, Lindsey Harris of Westlake, Ohio, Susan Slimack of Illinois, Dr. Michael Slimack of Wisconsin, Dr. Nicholas Slimack, wife Christina of Illinois and Seth Harris of Dover and three great-granddaughters, Kendyl and Tatum Hunt and Charlotte Slimack complete the family.In addition to his parents and wife, Homer was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Wilbur Harris and a son-in-law, Danny Johnson.The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 7, 2011, from 1-3 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Father Jeff Coning will lead a celebration of Homer’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Monday, August 8, 2011; at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia where members of the New Philadelphia VFW will provide military honors. Following services the family wishes to invite guests to join them in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the New Philadelphia funeral home, where a meal and fellowship will be shared.Those unable to attend may send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.The family requests memorial contributions in Homer’s name be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622 or Sacred Heart Church 139 3rd St. NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.