Obituaries

Geoffrey R. Bailey July 22, 1977 - November 3, 2023

Geoffrey R. Bailey, 46, of Mentone, Indiana passed unexpectedly Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 at his residence.

Geoff was born on July 22, 1977 in Plymouth, Indiana to Martin and Amy (Coplen) Bailey. He was a 1996 graduate of Tippecanoe Valley High School. He had also attended Argos Community Schools and the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. He then attended Butler University. He had been previously married to Kimberly Winter.

He was actively working for Lassus Handy Dandy of Warsaw. Geoff was a sports fan. He loved the Yankees and the Colts and was a huge Peyton Manning fan. He also liked the Pacers and was a fan of Reggie Miller.

He is survived by his son Bryson Bailey of Elkhart; parents Amy and husband Dannie Hurd of Warsaw and Martin and wife Christy Bailey of Brownsburg; brothers Dannie W. Hurd and Mary and Chris and wife Kate Hurd all of North Webster; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Geoff was preceded in death by his grandparents and a brother Brandon Hurd.

The funeral service will take place at 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 at King Memorial Home 101 North Tucker Street Mentone, Indiana.

Visitation hours will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday Nov. 11, 2023 at King Memorial Home, Mentone, Indiana.

Memorial contributions can be made in Geoff’s memory to his son Bryson Bailey to further his college education. Any checks can be made payable to Bryson and will be collected at the funeral home.

Share a Memory or send an Online Condolence at: www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com

James Michael Harness September 14, 1956 - October 20, 2023

James Michael Harness, age 67 of Hamlet, Indiana passed away from cancer complications on Oct. 20, 2023 at St. Joseph Regional Hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana.

Jim was born on Sept. 14, 1956 in Knox, IN to parents, Gloria (Loepke) and Marion Cy Harness. He graduated from Oregon Davis High School in 1974 and later worked for Conrail, Davey Tree Service and then Asplundh Tree Service.

When Jim was in first grade, he and his brother Steve were playing outside and there was this huge oak tree that Jim was looking at… up and down, up and down. Knowing what he was thinking, Steve said don't do it, but up Jim scurried. When Steve told his mom, she stepped out of the house but couldn't see him. “See the red hat?” Steve said. That's all that could be seen of Jim as he shimmied all the way up to the top of that tree. Steve thinks maybe that's where Jim got his start in the tree service business.

As an avid sports fan, Jim particularly loved the Bears and the Cubs. He also enjoyed NASCAR and his favorite driver was Tony Stewart. If you knew Jim, you knew that he was a very strong minded individual who was jovial and just a lot of fun to be around. His close friend, Maurice Neville assisted Jim quite a bit in recent years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Cy Harness and sister-in-law, Julie Harness. Survivors include his mother, Gloria Harness of Miller's Merry Manor in Culver, a son, Robert Fischbach (Angela) of Bradenton, FL, a bother, Steven Harness of Grovertown, IN, two grandchildren, Lilly Fischbach and Christian Fischback both of Bradenton, FL and a nephew, Jeffrey Harness of Nappanee, IN.

A Celebration of Life, officiated by Pastor Dee Miller will be held Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. CST at the Hamlet United Methodist Church in Hamlet. Friends and family may gather to reminisce beginning at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the family to help defray burial expenses or to the charity of your choice.