Shirley Ritchie Harris

Shirley Ritchie Harris, 77, of Meadville, PA formerly of Hartville, Ohio lost her courageous battle with cancer and died peacefully April 6, 2010 at the home of her niece Tonja Burchill of Meadville, PA.
Shirley was born March 2, 1933 in Canton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Lyle and Ruth Reifsnyder Ritchie and the late Mary Cvengros Ritchie. She married Roger Harris, Sr. November 10, 1951, he preceded her in death August 3, 1999.
She graduated from Timken High School, Canton, Ohio in 1951. After graduation she worked for The Hoover Company in North Canton, Ohio in the book keeping department. After her wedding she joined her husband in California for two years where he was stationed in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
She enjoyed researching genealogy and aided many families in helping them discover their ancestry. As a lover of details she was noted to acquire facts and findings that sometimes others would miss. She was an avid collector of books, glassware and antiques of all kinds. She was sequestered on various occasions to assess the values of antiques to settle family estates. She worked for a short time at the office of late Neal Bittinger, DDS in Hartville, Ohio as a book keeper. She had the gift of encouragement and often would send lovely cards and handwritten letters to those in need. Her most enjoyable and rewarding job was taking care of her family in her home and tending to her flowers around her house.
She was a member of the Middlebranch Grace Brethren Church, Middlebranch, Ohio since 1951. She served in various capacities throughout the years as a Sunday school teacher and choir member. She also aided her late husband who ministered in leadership roles in the Christian Service Brigade program for many years.
Survivors include a son Bradley Harris and his wife Beverly of Lafayette, Colorado, a daughter in law Linda Rentz Harris, grandsons Roger Harris III and his wife Christine and Nicholas Harris, a step grand daughter Sara Beamish all of Berthoud, Colorado, a niece with whom she resided Tonja Burchill and her husband Guy, a great nephew and great niece Seth and Bethany Wise of Meadville, a sister in law Pauline Ritchie of North Canton, Ohio, a brother in law Roland Harris and his wife Marcia of Grand Prarie, Texas and several nieces and nephews and many dear friends with whom she delighted in their company.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, a son Roger Harris Jr., her parents, her stepmother, a brother Eugene Ritchie, a sister Vivian Ritchie Ferguson, her father and mother in law Ralph and Georgia Harris, and a sister in law Gwendolyn Harris Polosky.
There is no calling hours. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. at Forest Hill Cemetery 4414 Cleveland Ave. N.W. Canton, Ohio, Thomas Embaugh of Middlebranch Grace Brethren Church officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. 404 Chestnut Street, Meadville.
Share your condolences at miznerfuneralhome@zoominternet.net
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Middlebranch Grace Brethren Church, 2911 William Street, Middlebranch, Ohio 44652.