Joanna M. Harris 1929 - 2019
Joanna M. Harris, 90, of Bluffton died Oct. 1, 2019, at Willow Ridge – Frieda House, Bluffton. She was born May 2, 1929, in Lima to the late John Joseph Finn and E. Ruth Bechdolt Finn Risser. On Feb. 1, 1947, she married Richard C. Harris and he preceded her in death on April 20, 2004.
Joanna graduated from Columbus Grove High School. She was a homemaker, had been a receptionist for Ace Electric and was a long-time Avon representative. Joanna was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Columbus Grove and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #527, Columbus Grove.
Survivors include a daughter, Gwen Duquette of Pooler, Georgia; a son, Greg (Lynn) Harris of Findlay; a brother, David M. Risser of Meeker, Ohio; five sisters, Louise Swavel of Mt. Vernon, Texas, Florence Collins of Upper Sandusky, Donna (Clyde) Swavel of Morral, Ohio, Rebecca (Ron) Black of Kenton, Judi Elsasser of Ridgeway; four grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many friends she met along the way.
Joanna was preceded in death by her parents; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary (Helen) Harris; a step-father, Harry Risser; a brother and sister-in-law, John E. (Barbara) Finn; a sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor (Jere) Winegardner; and two brothers-in-law, Leroy Swavel and Lynn Elsasser.
A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, at College First Church of God, 1100 N. Main Street, Findlay, Ohio. Pastors Will Miller and David Welker officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Private burial will take place at a later date in Truro Cemetery, Columbus Grove.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mennonite Memorial Home or Bridge Home Health and Hospice.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted with Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- September 29 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Pirate volleyball sweeps Wapakoneta
- Pirate boys golf 4th at NWC tourney; Meyer places 2nd
- Pirate girls soccer shuts out Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate boys soccer shuts out Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate girls tennis blanks Kenton
- Bluffton Fall Festival overflows with family fun
- Stauber exhibit at Massillon Museum through November 1
- Arlington invites generations of alumni to all-school Homecoming
Monday, September 28, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, September 21-27
- Alan K. Yoder, O.D., 86, owned Family Eye Care Clinic of Bluffton
- I-75 lane restrictions in Hancock County, Sept. 28-Oct. 2
- Travis Michael Swank, 40, was a salesman
- NetVUE panel highlights chaplaincy, vocation and meaningful work
- Bluffton Presbyterian hosts community-wide Socktober drive
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Friday, September 25, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, September 25
- Clay, community, and the classroom
- Pirate volleyball loss vs. Crestview
- Pirate girls soccer win vs. Allen East
- Janine Elizabeth (Minnich) Millager, 87, was a lab technician
- Send October 2026 calendar events to the Icon
- New time for Planning and Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow meetings, Sept 29
- Pirate boys golf 10th at sectionals
- Fall Festival activities are all over Bluffton, Sept. 26