Richard D. Harsma, 92, was born October 28, 1931 to Gerald & Bertha Harsma, both deceased, in Sioux City, Iowa. As a teenager the family moved to a farm near Humbolt, South Dakota, where he graduated from high school in 1949. With the Korean War on the horizon he enlisted in the US Navy in July 1949 and served until May 1953. Harsma was an EM3 aboard the USS Spinax submarine. Richard was a life member of USSVI Hoosier Base. His work career included working in the automotive industry owning two auto repair businesses in Indianapolis, and later performing auto warranty inspections retiring this past summer. Richard passed away Tuesday morning October 8 at Manderly Health Care Center in Osgood, Indiana, just 20 days shy of his 93rd birthday.
Although Richard never married, he helped raise the children (Kathy Blackledge and Leland Payne) of a co-worker who died suddenly in 1972. He had lived in Ripley County for the past 13. He was a faithful member of Tanglewood Baptist church and served as the Sunday School superintendent. He enjoyed researching on the computer, helping friends with automotive repair problems, broadcasting the church services on his Facebook account, sending The Wired Word Sunday School material to friends, and grilling burgers & watching antique tractor pulls at Kev’s Field of Dreams. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his sister Dorothy Raue of Rapid City, South Dakota, nieces and their families: Vicki Jelsma, Lori Grimes, Rhonda Miller, Julie Urbanick and Kimberly Wilkins, of South Dakota, and nephews and their families: Rick, James, Joel, Mike, Mark & Christopher Harsma, and Rob & Randy Raue. He was predeceased by this brothers Gerald and Don.
Funeral Services will be performed by Pastor Becky Pohle at the Tanglewood Baptist Church at 11 am, Monday, October 14, with visitation beginning at 10 am. The Versailles American Legion will provide the graveside rites. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Tanglewood Cemetery or Wreaths Across Ripley County in care of Stratton Karsteter Funeral Home, Versailles, Indiana.