John Harden

John R Harden of Winter Haven Fl., born Sept 2nd 1928 in Walkerton, Indiana, stepped to the other side on Sunday June 25th of 2023.

Raised in South Bend, Indiana, Graduated Riley high school in 1947. Graduated Indiana College of Mortuary Science in1950. Operated Harden Funeral Home in Fairmount Indiana 1954 to 1961 and Harden Memorial Chapel at Lakeville, Indiana from 1961 to 1974

Moved to Winter Haven in 1974 with his wife Joyce and family, operating the Winter Haven telephone answering service until 1979, then going into real estate. Upon securing a Florida funeral directors license in 1986. John operated the Mitchell-Harden Funeral Home in Winter Haven until retiring in 1997.

John Harden was a member of the 770th field artillery bn. reserve unit from 1950 to 1956, in communications for the United States army reserve.

He loved after dinner entertaining and presented the works of the Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley, along with comedy in many Indiana areas from 1960’s to 1974.  John also loved playing the harmonica and hanging with the HarmoniCats. The HarmoniCats bass player, Frank Warner, laid down accompaniment backgrounds for John, included in his many programs.

Mr. Harden raised white homing birds and released them at wedding ceremonies, funerals and special occasions, from 1998 until 2010.

A master mason of WH lodge 186, a 32nd degree mason, and past patron of the WH chapter 74 OES Winter Haven.

His first wife “Doris” passed away in 1964. He married again in 1966 to the former Joyce Wolf (of Wheatfield, Indiana), who is survived and married 57 years, along with 5 children; Pamela Baker, (Bob), John “Bud” Harden, (Luz), Mark Harden, Christa Newman, (Anthony), Weston Harden (Angie). 6 grand children and 5 great grand children.       

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