WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Warren Lavern Harder, age 83, of Three Rivers, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born May 13, 1929, in Three Rivers, a son of the late, Charles L. and Grace (White-Dieffenderfer) Harder.
Mr. Harder has been a lifetime member of Three Rivers. After graduating from high school, Warren served his country honorably in the U.S. Army between 1950 and 1952 stationed in Germany. When he returned home, Warren began work at Eddy Paper Co., later Weyerhauser, for 16 years before moving to Armstrong International Machine Works for 34 years before his retirement in 1995 after battling cancer.
Mr. Harder has been a longtime member of Three Rivers Bible Church. He loved “big band” music and HarmonyFest in downtown Three Rivers. He also had a great love for ham radio and has a big collection of cards from his contacts around the world.
Warren was preceded in death by his parents;
stepfather, Elwood Dieffenderfer; sisters, Joyce (Harry) Mansberger and Marion “Mary” Scott (Jim) Higgins; stepsister, Alma Jones; and sister-in-law, Joyce Harder.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory his wife, Shirley Ann (Stryker) Harder of Three Rivers, whom he married May 7, 1962, in Angola, Ind.; three children, Deborah Klett, Clifton E. (Sally) Harder and Bryan L. Harder; grandchildren Craig (Katie) Klett and Elizabeth (T.J.) Mansfield; great-grandchildren Audrey Rose, Hunter James and Tyson Thomas; a brother, Willie L. Harder (Betty Welsh); mother-in-law, Kathryn Stryker; sister-in-laws, Dorothy (Lee) Swartort, Vonda (Richard) Bowerman and Jeanette Mercer; stepbrother, George Dieffenderfer; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends he made at Armstrong during his years there.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2013, at Three Rivers Bible Church, 220 N. Erie St; Three Rivers, with Pastor Jay Bailey officiating.
Interment of cremains will be held in Riverside Cemetery, with military honors under the auspices of the American Legion Hice-Shutes Post #170 to follow.
Memorials may be donated to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the Three Rivers Bible Church. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral home, which is in care of Warren’s arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.hohnerfh.com. A facebook page in Warren’s memory also has been set up, titled Warren Harder Memorial.
