Obituary of VanEtten E. Harkness

Elmira: Age 82, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at St. Joseph's Hospital. Jim was born in Elmira, October 26, 1931, the son of Oliver P. and Doris (Whited) Harkness. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sandra Liddy Harkness; children, with their families, Kim M. Harkness of Elmira, with son Brian (Mari) Harkness; Timothy J. Harkness of Elmira; Kelly M. Adams of Elmira Heights with children, Jeffrey, Stephanie, Kathleen and Kimberly; Kristine M. Barnes, and husband Richard, of Elmira, with children, Brian (Mandi) Powell and Tara Girardi; Elizabeth "Biz" Crout, and husband Tom, of Horseheads with children, Caitlyn (fiancé Joseph Disbrow) Hess and Shawn (with Heather) Crout; Amy M. Harkness of Elmira with daughter Bailey Johnson; Laura A. Henry, and husband Mark, of Rochester with daughter Erin; 12 great-grandchildren; sister Shirley Brown of Athens GA; along with several nieces and nephews. Jim was a graduate of Southside High School. He enlisted in the U S Air Force in January 1951 serving his country until December 1954. A retiree of Conrail, Jim worked there for 38 years. He was a long time communicant of St. Mary's Church and a member of the Msgr. John J. Lee Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Most importantly, he was a life long fan of the Cleveland Browns. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Thursday, June 26, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, June 27, 2014 at 9:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's. Interment, with committal prayers and military honors, will then take place at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Those wishing may remember Jim with a donation to the Elmira Animal Shelter, 842 Linden Place Extension, Elmira NY 14901. Jim's family extends their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at St. Joseph's ER and Mixed Medical Unit for the kindness and care he received during his brief stay there. The officers and members of the Hibernians will meet at McInerny Funeral Home on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. to conduct a service for our brother, Jim. Signed, Jim Palmer, President