Eugene E. "Gene" Harris, 89, Oblong, died at 12:50 a.m. Sunday December 17, 2006, at the Ridgeview Care Center in Oblong. Born June 25, 1917, in Jasper County, he was the son of Irvin Harris and Agnes (Michl) Harris. He was a famer in Jasper and Crawford Counties. Gene was a member of Seed Chapel United Methodist Church, rural Oblong. He was a charter member of the first Ruritan Club formed in Oblong and also was a former school board member for the Bend School district. Gene enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting.
On November 19, 1938, he married Mary Kirts, and she survives. Also surviving is one son and daughter-in-law, Bob & Madeline Harris; three grandchildren, Cris & Jeri Harris, Craig & Kim Harris and Chad & Bridgette Harris; four great-grandchildren, Jeron & Jordon Harris, Bryce Harris and Taylor Harris; one brother and friend, Harold Harris and Mary Hargis; four sisters-in-law, Monica Harris, Thelma Ikemire, Evelyn Lee and Wanda Angerer; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; one daughter, Rita Kay Harris; one brother, Frank Harris; and five sisters, Edna, Esther, Berniece, Belva and Ida.