Dec. 15, 1926 – Feb. 27, 2010


George F. Harris, age 83, a Manitowoc resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers.

George was born Dec. 15, 1926, in East Pike Run, Pa., to the late Frederick and Olive Grimes Harris. Following his high school graduation, George enlisted with the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served on a destroyer escort and traveled all around the world. On Aug. 15, 1944, George married Shirley Nelson in Milwaukee. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he went on to college at the California University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, he taught high school math and science in Maryland. Once deciding that teaching was not for him, he moved to Wisconsin and worked at National Tea, GE X-ray, and Wisconsin Centrifugal.

He is survived by his wife of 11 years: Karen nee Schroder Balthazor, Manitowoc; two sons: John (Janet) Harris, of Sunnyvale, Calif.; and James (Maria) Harris, Sherwood; three daughters: Diana Benson, Milwaukee; Cheryl (Mike) Anderson, Waukesha; and Melodie (John Hardie) Harris, Manitowoc; seven grandchildren: Joel (Jen) Harris, Ben Harris, Sherri (Ryan) Linn, Matthew Benson, Maxwell Anderson, Tegan Anderson, and Freddy Harris; a greatgrandson: Julien Harris; Karen’s children: Julie Medinger, Sarah (Matt) Ward, Scott (Stacey) Balthazor, and Jeff Balthazor; nine grandchildren: Daniel Balthazor, Kaylee Klein, Justice Klein, Veronikka Medinger, Meeshelle Medinger, Xzavier Medinger, Jovy Medinger, Cody Ward, and Dylan Ward; three brothers: Edgar (Shirley) Harris, Jerry (Vicki) Harris, and Ralph (Terry) Harris; a sister-in-law: Sally Harris; his diva dog, Princess; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, March 4 at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, N. 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc for a celebration of George’s life.