Joseph Edward Harris

MORRISONVILLE - Joseph Edward "Joe" Harris, 81 of Morrisonville passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 6:13 PM at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

He was born September 8, 1930 in Morrisonville the son of Edward and Estella (Malloy) Harris. He married Loretta Scott on June 12, 1954 in St. Rita Catholic Church at Kincaid; she preceded him in death along with his parents; Son, Billy Joe Harris; Sisters, Mary Snell, Marcella Clark, Ronella Beierman, Bernice Reck, Dorothy Harris and Rita Harris; Brother, Cletus Harris.

Joe worked as a coal miner at Peabody Mine #10 for 32 years before his retirement. He also was owner/operator of Harris Tree Service. His memberships include, St. Maurice Catholic Church, Leslie Reddick American Legion Post 721, Knights of Columbus Council 1151, VFW Post 4431 and UMWA Local 9819. He was a graduate of Morrisonville High School class of 1949. He was a veteran of the Army serving during the Korean Conflict. Joe was instrumental in organizing the drive for the American Legion War Memorial.

Survivors: Son, Donnie Harris of Morrisonville, IL; Daughters, Diane (husband, Patrick) Kane and Marietta (husband, Gary) Dunkirk both of Morrisonville, IL; 3 grandchildren, Dereke (wife, Chelsea) Dunkirk, Ashley (husband, Rhett) Niewinski and Courtney Kane (fiancé, Jake DeClerck); 3 great grandchildren, Gentry Dunkirk, Adelaide Dunkirk and Joscelyn Niewinski; Many nieces and nephews.

Funeral mass will be held on Monday, March 19 at 10:30 AM at St. Maurice Catholic Church in Morrisonville with Rev. Gerald Bunse and Rev. John Hannigan officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Maurice Catholic Cemetery, Morrisonville. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 18 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Perfetti Funeral Home in Morrisonville.

Memorials are suggested to American Legion Post 721, American Legion War Memorial or St. Maurice Catholic Cemetery.

Perfetti Funeral Home in Morrisonville is in charge of arrangements.