Harry B Vanfleet

Harry Breese VanFleet died on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015.
Harry was born Dec. 21, 1927, in Aurora, Illinois to Helen (Yates) and Arthur VanFleet. After attending a one room schoolhouse through eighth grade, he went on to graduate from Monmouth College in 1949. Harry then entered the Pittsburgh Xenia Theological Seminary and graduated with Masters of Divinity degree in 1952. He was called to pastor his first church, Puckety United Presbyterian Church, near New Kensington, PA where he served until 1957. He then became pastor of Sugar Creek United Presbyterian Church in Kettering, OH from 1957 until 1964. In 1964, Harry was called to become the pastor of Graystone United Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN where he stayed until 1977. The final church he served was the First Presbyterian Church in Akron, OH from which he retired in 1993. Harry was extremely committed to all the parishioners in the churches he served and accumulated many friends and admirers through his work. He was known for baking great cinnamon rolls, which he delivered on Christmas, and dragging his family up to the Smoky Mountains at 7:00 AM on Saturday mornings for breakfast and a hike. One of his most enjoyable activities was the men's prayer breakfasts. He started one of these groups at every church he pastored and continued to attend long after he retired. Harry also enjoyed attending and participating in the Family Olympics (AOFCC) that brought his family together each summer for almost 30 years. Harry will be missed by his family and the countless number people he served with dedication, compassion and understanding.
Harry was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty to whom he was married for 54 years prior to her passing, his parents, Helen and Arthur VanFleet, and sisters, Jane Guttschow, Gladys Lackner, Marion Dowey, and Doris VanFleet. He is survived by sisters Polly Peterson and Maria Splinter; daughters, Susan VanFleet, and Sally (Frank) Makovic; sons, Dr. Timothy VanFleet (Mary Beth) and Scott VanFleet (Eileen); and loving grandchildren Abigail Zimmermann (Mike), Samuel VanFleet, Chris Kormos (Kelly), Hillary, Claire, and Connor VanFleet; and great grandson, Ford Kormos.
A celebration of life service will be held at Billow's Funeral Home, 85 N. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333, at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, with the Rev. Derek Starr Redwine officiating. If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorials or donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 121Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498, habitat.org or Great Lakes Caring Hospice, GreatLakesHospiceFoundation.org.