By Mandi Sakadaris
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7 Comments
  • Visitation

    Friday, April 26, 2024

    4:00 to 8:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

    Saturday, April 27, 2024

    9:00 to 10:00 am

    St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL

  • Service

    Mass of Christian Burial

    Saturday, April 27, 2024

    10:00 am

    St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL

  • Full Obituary

    Lorna Rose Harris, 96, of Highland, IL, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, IL.

    She was born on May 15, 1927, in Highland, IL, to Arthur and Myrtle (nee Raeber) Ritt. On June 17, 1947, Lorna married the love of her life, Roland Harris, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL. A woman of faith who was devoted to saying her daily Rosary and prayers for family and friends, Lorna was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland.

    Lorna had lived in Highland most of her life, growing up and graduating from St. Paul Catholic High School in 1945, and later getting her associate degree in Belleville, IL. When Roland started the Harris Funeral Home in Highland, she assisted him with the business. After her four sons reached school age, she started her bookkeeping career at Alton Box Company (now WestRock) and worked there for over 25 years. Through her church, Lorna was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, the St. Ann Altar Society, sang in the choir, served on the School Board and helped with the Kirchenfest dinners for many years. Lorna also belonged to the Highland Senior Citizens Group, where she acted as treasurer for a time, numerous Bridge Clubs, and the Highland VFW Ladies Auxiliary, having just received her 75 year membership pin. Lorna and Roland spent 7 years as residents of the Highland Home before moving to Meridian Village in 2022.

    She enjoyed cross stitching and playing various card games, but Bridge was Lorna’s favorite, as she and Roland loved to play with their many friends as well as teaching members of their community how to play at the Weinheimer Community Center. Lorna also liked to collect dolls and vinegar cruets. Lorna and Roland enjoyed traveling, going to Germany, Switzerland, and for 25 years, they would spend 2 months each winter in Sarasota, Florida visiting with her only sister and brother-in-law, Ellen and Walt Bellm.

    Lorna’s greatest joy was her family. She loved spending time with her sister, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, but her number one love in her life was her husband, Roland. Lorna often hosted family dinners on Sundays, being known for her fried chicken, roasts, and chocolate chip cookies. She and Roland attended as many events as they could with their family (birthdays, weddings, sporting events, dance competitions, etc.). A loving, caring, and compassionate woman, Lorna will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Myrtle Ritt; father and mother-in-law, Irwin and Maybelle Harris; daughters (in infancy), Mary Harris, Anne Harris; grandson (in infancy), Nolan Harris; brother and sister-in-law Udell and Cecelia Harris; brother-in-law, Walter Bellm; nephew-in-law, George Percy.

    Lorna is survived by her loving husband of 76 years, Roland Harris, Highland, IL; sons, Paul Harris, Oregon, John (Lucy) Harris, St. Louis, MO, Mark (Mimi) Harris, Chicago, IL, Luke (Amber) Harris, Glen Carbon, IL; grandchildren, Hilary (Bryan) Crites, Halle Harris, Nathan (Christine) Harris, Brendan (Susan) Harris, Colin Harris, Shannon (Myles) Urban, Sean Harris, Will Harris, Eileen Harris, Blake (Amie) Harris, Rhett (Justine) Harris, Kailey (Bryan) Riegert, Eli (Madison) Harris, Miriah (Colten Strotheide) Harris; 4 great grandsons; 17 great granddaughters; sister, Ellen Bellm, Panama City, FL; daughter-in-law, Teresa (Mark) Kennedy; nieces, Kathleen (Jim) McDermott, Marilyn Percy, Debbie (Bob) Lyons.

    Memorial donations may be made to Relevant Pregnancy Options Center in Highland, IL.

    Visitation: Friday, April 26, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL, and Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 9:00 to 10:00 am, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL

    Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 10:00 am, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL

    Clergy: Fr. Pat Jakel, Fr. Steve Pohlman, and Fr. Bob Jallas

    Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Highland, IL

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

7 Condolences
 
  1. Debi Wetzel / April 25, 2024 at 7:32 am

    My condolences to the Harris family! I graduated Saint Paul Catholic School in the same class as John. I remember a group of us kids from school forming a pinochle card club and Johns parents kindly letting us play cards in the back of the Harris Funeral Home. It was a bit creepy at the time, but now I find myself doing hair on funeral guest in many different funeral homes! Again my thoughts and prayers are with the Harris family!!

  2. Barbara Stone / April 25, 2024 at 11:08 am

    When I moved to Highland in 2012, I went to the Weiheimer seeking to play bridge to meet new people. Lorna welcomed me warmly and I will always remember how she opened the door for me to have many new friends. I loved her kindness to me and am so thankful to have known her.

  3. Donald Johannes / April 25, 2024 at 1:25 pm

    So sorry to learn about Lorna’s dearh. She was a very nice person and a very spiritual. Lady.
    Unfortunately we are out of town for the next 10 days.
    So we send our prayers to Roland, John, Luke and Paul and to all the other family members We will continue to hold you in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time.🙏🙏🙏

    Don and Barb Johannes

  4. Breanna NoeBeck / April 25, 2024 at 2:38 pm

    All of my love and sympathy to the whole family for your loss. I remember Lorna and Roland when I was growing up through St. Paul Church and Kirchenfest. I had the pleasure of getting to spend time and playing music at Meridian Village. I pray for the whole family and Roland. May she rest in peace.

  5. Russell & Sharon Timmermann / April 27, 2024 at 10:53 am

    Our deepest sympathies to the Harris family. Russ.has many.memories of Lorna and.Roland playing cards with his parents, Joe and Anne, and the many stories of Lorna and his Mom attending college together in Belleville. Please know you our in our thoughts and prayers.

  6. Sheila Dunn / April 28, 2024 at 1:09 pm

    Please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences. I have so many fond memories of Roland and Lorna and the boys. Roland and Lorna were long time friends with my mom and dad (Ken and Gloria Stuckwisch) and I grew up with Paul. I am so sorry that I didn’t find out about Lorna’s passing until after the service as I certainly would have made an effort to attend. Again please accept my deepest sympathy to all.
    Sheila (Stuckwisch) Dunn

  7. Lynette Lambert / April 29, 2024 at 12:26 pm

    So sorry to hear of Lornas passing. Lorna and Roland were very good friends of my mom and dad. Will and Mary Lou Rozum. I Lynette Lambert remember. Lorna. So sweet and loving. I think I remember the Harris’s coming to our house for Confraternity. Back when I was a young girl. Sympathy to all the family May she Rest In Peace.

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