Harry Girten

Harry Girten will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Harry died at 12:45 a.m. on Friday, February 11, 2000, at the age of 82 following an illness.  He died at his residence, 400 Clark Street, as he wished, surrounded by his loving family and in the gentle care of the Marshall County Hospice.

Born in Goshen, Ind., on April 30, 1917, Harry was the son of Harry and Treva Girten.  He attended Goshen schools and moved to Plymouth in 1939.

He and his Mary (Nelson) met while he was employed by the local Coca-Cola plant and she was a telephone operator.  They married on January 26, 1941 in Plymouth.

In World War II, Harry served in the South Pacific, from 1944-45, with the United States Navy.

He first worked for Meck Industries as a foreman for six years.  He then was employed by the Bendix Corp. Aero-Space Division as a Missile Technician, retiring after 28 years, in 1982.

An industrious, active individual, he was unable to slow down.  He worked for the Plymouth Public Library for 14 years.

He loved his work and the people he worked with but above all, he loved his family.

He was always there for his children and his grandchildren and their activities.  Widely known as one of Plymouth’s sports enthusiasts, members of the Boosters Club,  the Girtens were Big Red fans, cheering at almost every event.

For years, Harry enjoyed the men’s Tuesday night Bowling League and the Fountainhead Golf League.  Fishing trips and fixing things were gratifying pastimes for Harry.

He and Mary were regulars at The Bakery coffee shop, meeting almost daily with their friends and family members.

Although he set the highest standards in everything he did, he was remarkably patient with anyone who had difficulty meting them.  Patience and love were among the qualities that most attracted those who knew him.

He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church for almost sixty years.

Harry and Mary were an inseparable couple for fifty-nine years.  Mary survives his death together with their seven children.  His sons and daughters and their spouses are: Larry and Amme Girten, Bill and Donna Girten and Bob and Carmen Girten, all of Plymouth.  The daughters are: Dee and Jim Brown, Lynn and Steve Jacox, Michigan City, Anne Gantz, Plymouth, and Patti and Dennis Mattern, Bremen.

Twenty-three grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren survive together with two sisters, Margaret Bickel, Goshen and Jo Dover, Elkhart.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents and, Janie Louise Girten, an infant daughter.

Friends may come to celebrate Harry Girten’s life with his family at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, on Sunday, February 13, 2000, from 3 to 8 p.m.  And one hour prior to funeral services on Monday.

His funeral will take place in the funeral home on Monday, February 14, 2000, at 11 a.m.  The Rev. Maurice Grindle, pastor of the Trinity United Methodist Church, will officiate.  V.F.W. Post 1162 of Marshall County will accord a military graveside service.

Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery.

Gifts in Harry’s memory may be made to the Trinity Church, Marshall County Hospice, or the Plymouth High School Athletic Department.