We would like to announce a new member of the Heavenly Choir! Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Norman Harold Harsh, has become the most recent tenor to be welcomed by the Lord Jesus and His celestial musicians, arriving in heaven on June 10, 2026.
Music, especially singing, was a significant part of Norman’s life for as long as he can remember. He stood up on his own in front of church at the tender age of 5 and happily belted out, “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam”! He was part of the Richmond All-City Boys’ Choir and a member of the Miami University Men’s Glee Club during his time at university. (Unfortunately, his high school choir director would only allow girls into the choir!) As soon as Norman and Juanita moved to Middletown, Ohio in 1957, they joined the Temple Choir at the First United Methodist Church, where he sang for over 65 years. Norman was also part of PROMISES (the musical mission group to Japan), Middletown Civic Chorus and Pro Musica. He regularly participated in the Miami Glee Club alumni concerts.
Norman arrived in this world on June 27, 1935, in Richmond, Indiana. He joined his older sister, Jean, and, 8 years later, a brother, Phil. Everett and Esther Harsh were the proud parents. The family moved to Franklin County, Indiana in 1947, where he attended Springfield Township School.
Norman’s other passion as a young person was sports. He loved them all and participated in basketball and baseball teams during his years at Springfield. He graduated from high school in 1953 and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, majoring in Education.
Norman met his life-long love, Juanita Jane Wolber, his sophomore year in high school, when she was a freshman. She liked him from the start – watching him play basketball! When they were on their way to a dance during Juanita’s senior year, he asked her for his class ring back. She was worried, but then he gave her an engagement ring! They were married during his senior year at Miami on Feb. 2, 1957.
Upon graduation from Miami, Norman got his first job at Lincoln Elementary School in Middletown, Ohio, where he taught 5th grade. He later became principal there and also worked extra jobs to help supplement their income – at LeSourdsville Lake and Taylor’s Appliance Store.
Over the years, Norman’s roles changed. He worked in school administration and curriculum for the Middletown City Schools and later for the Centerville, Ohio, school system. In 1975, he took a year to try his hand at farming in Brookville, Indiana – working with his father-in-law and deciding whether to change his profession. He first retired in 1988 and then kept working in adult education. He retired a second time in 2000. They had a hard time replacing such a fine educator!
Norman and Juanita did a lot of traveling over the years, enjoying multiple trips to Japan and Nepal, and for 15 years they trekked yearly to their “snowbird” home in Chandler, Arizona. In 2002, they moved back to their roots in Brookville, Indiana, where they have resided on a corner of the old farm since.
Throughout his life, Norman was a faithful Christian, leading his family and all his relationships with love, faith, kindness, and wisdom. When he was a young boy, he asked his parents why his family didn’t go to church like the family of a school friend. From that time on, the family attended church, and Norman carried that faithfulness through his entire life. Many of the trips he and Juanita took were mission-related, and they generously supported the work of their son-in-law and daughter, Les and Debbie Dornon, at Tansen Mission Hospital in Nepal. Incorporating his skills in carpentry, Norman helped build houses with Habitat for Humanity locally and across the country. (Many children have enjoyed meticulously built toy barns and doll houses because of his skill and generosity!) Norman was also a proud Rotarian for many years and he was a fixture at the Oxford Rotary meetings until last fall. He taught his children and grandchildren the importance of giving and serving, and he exemplified it throughout his life.
Norman leaves a true legacy of excellence for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was active in the lives of his extended family – siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins – and with many friends, especially from church. He was always there to lend a hand, to help do a job, or to encourage.
We who remain behind will miss him: his beloved wife, Juanita; and his children, Deborah Dornon (Lester), Tamara Craver (Alan), Thomas Harsh (Carol) and his daughter-in-law, Christine; his grandchildren (who called him “Grumpy” but he was always their champion and he loved them well): Rachel Hedlund (Scott), Luke Dornon (Laura), Elizabeth Oliva (Andrew), Katelyn Harsh (Patrick Skelton), Hannah Voyle (Nathan), Megan Harsh (Nicholas Gonzalez), Lilianne Craver, and Kimberly Craver. He has seven great-grandchildren and another on the way. His brother, Phil Harsh, gives us big hugs to help make up for the ones Norman used to give.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Springfield Community Church, 3101 Oxford Pike, Bath, Indiana. A service to celebrate his life will follow at the church.
We are thankful to the Lord Jesus for Norman’s life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Norm’s memory to Habitat for Humanity or to the United Mission Hospital Tansen: https://gbhem-umc.my.site.com/hemgm/s/campaign/a3fPo000000D43hIAC/tansen-united-mission-hospital . The Staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Harsh family, to sign the online guest book or send a personal condolence please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com.