Category Archives: obituaries

ECHOLA Frances S. Harless, age 47, of Echola, died May 13, 2009, at Northport Medical Center. Services will be 11 a.m. today at Bethany Baptist Church with Bro. Donald Springer officiating. Burial will follow in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing.

Her mother, Gladys N. Simmons; and brother, David Simmons, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband, William Terry Harless of Fosters; her daughters, Jennifer Harless Vickers (Greg) of Northport and Ashley Harless Harris (D.J.) of Fosters; and her grandchildren, Cody and Naomi Robertson, Hayden Vickers and John Richard and Dakota Harris.

Pallbearers will be Greg Vickers, D.J. Harris, Andrew Champion, Michael Hobson, James Booth, Jason Sims, and Cody Robertson.

Published in Tuscaloosa News on May 15, 2009

Helen began her wonderful journey through life on December 29, 1917 in Des Moines, Iowa. She was reunited with her loving husband, John; daughter, Sharon; her parents, brothers and a sister when her journey ended peacefully on March 6, 2009 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Born to a family of seven children, she was daughter of Olaf and Hilma Bergman, and took great pride in her Swedish heritage and culture. Helen married John B. Harless on June 18, 1942 in White Plains, New York and together they raised six children of their own. She loved to bake and cook for her family and friends, and family traditions and holidays revolved around her fabulous meals and baked goods. Forever the teacher, Helen bestowed her greatest gift on her children and grandchildren and endowed them with her love of life, joy of family and strength of character. She considered her family to be her life’s greatest achievement. In her youth, Helen had been a swimsuit model and worked for Banker’s Life Insurance in Des Moines. She put her career on hold to raise her family and later went to work for the Department of Army in Tooele, Utah. An avid Bridge player since she was a child, Helen continued to play Bridge with her good-natured, competitive spirit well into her later years. Helen’s family and friends are proud to have been a part of her life and they will treasure the strength she conveyed through her cheerful smile and joyous spirit. Helen is survived by her children John (Cheryl), Steve (Linda), Lisa (John), Rick (Carla), Gary (Lila); her grandchildren and great grandchildren; her brother Don (Miriam) Bergman and sister Evelyn Shepard. She will be deeply missed. Memorial services will be held on Monday, April 6, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 2190 Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80219 and followed by inurnment at 2:30 p.m., Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.

James Harless, 58, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2009. Born on August 5, 1950, James graduated from Des Moines Tech High School in 1968, and married his “beautiful wife” Jeanie in 1970. He proudly joined the Army and served in Vietnam. He then joined the Iowa Army National Guard and was the youngest First Sergeant of the 1-194th Cavalry. He founded and served as President of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) of Iowa Chapter 490. James worked for Yellow Transportation for 30 plus years. He most enjoyed time with his family and grandchildren. He was also very involved with his church, Sunday Church, as the benevolence director and a member of the leadership team. He was steadfast in his faith. James also enjoyed gardening, carpentry, ISU and all college football and was a supporter for the Central Iowa Homeless Shelter. As his last act of giving of himself, he was an organ donor.

James is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jeanie; daughter, Dr. Christi (Rob) Taylor; son, Joe (Amanda) Harless; mother, Helen; grandchildren, Melani, Kate, Ben and Will Taylor, Peyton, Kyle and Jake Harless; sisters, Mary Abbott and Rose Parsons; brother, Russ Harless; brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Cathy Syferd, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Russ.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 17, 2009, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa. The family will greet friends from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2009, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Central Iowa Shelter Services or the Vietnam Veterans of America Local 490 in loving memory of James.

Published in Des Moines Register on Jan. 16, 2009

Garlen Harless of Pleasant Hope, Mo., went to be with the Lord on October 24, 2008, after a long illness from cancer. He was 82 years old. He attended First Church of God in Springfield, Mo. Garlen served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After his discharge from the service, he moved to Calif. He lived and worked there until he retired and moved back to Pleasant Hope, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ora and Mattie Harless; three brothers, Olin, Arlin and Ogal Harless; one sister, Barbara Stoker. He is survived by his wife, Betty Harless; two daughters, Rhonda Watson of Reedley, Calif., and Laura Cachu of Dinuba, Calif.; five grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Visitation will be October 28, 2008, from 7 to 8 p.m. in Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 29, at 12:30 p.m. in Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Following the service he will be buried in Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Special thanks to St. John’s Hospice for all their help, care and love they gave Garlen.

Published in the News-Leader on Oct. 27, 2008

NORTHPORT Harvey Neuman Harless, age 91, of Northport, died Sept. 10, 2007, at VA Hospital in Tuscaloosa. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Mt. Zion Free Will Baptist Church with Chaplain-Major Steven Simpson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church with the body lying in state.

His son, Billy Harless, his parents, Ed and Dona Harless, his brothers, George, Roscoe, Lee and Preston Harless, and his sisters, Eva Harless and Ann Burns, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Clark Harless; daughters, Melvie Horton (Jimmy) of Moulton, Ala. and Peggy Harless of Northport; son, Bobby Harless (Cathy) of Los Angles, Calif.; grandsons, Kevin Simpson (Monica) and Major Steven Simpson (Patty); great-grandchildren, Keri and Casey Simpson; and many special nieces and nephews.

Mr. Harless was a lifelong member of the Mt. Zion Free Will Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Pallbearers will be Paul Harless, Tim Harless, Kevin Simpson, Duell Holloway, Dale Simmons and James Simmons.

Honorary pallbearers are nurses and staff of V.A. Medical Nursing Home, Dr. Stephen Brown and staff, friends and neighbors of the Mt. Zion and Brownville communities.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mt. Zion Free Will Baptist Church.

Published in Tuscaloosa News on Sept. 13, 2007