Ralph Edward “Eddie” Harris, 53, passed away at his home in Shippenville on Saturday, July 11, 2015, following a brief illness.
Born September 3, 1961 in Oil City, he was the beloved son of the late Ralph and Hilda (Wice) Harris.
He was a 1980 graduate of Oil City High School.
Ed was of the Methodist faith and a member of Calvary United Methodist Church.
He was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. Ed also collected hats, baseball cards, and sports memorabilia. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, bingo, country music, playing softball, horseback riding, and dancing at weddings.
He also participated in the Special Olympics.
Ed was a very caring and thoughtful person with a wonderful sense of humor. He was very talkative and outgoing; he enjoyed meeting people and making new friends.
He will be remembered with love by his sisters: Judy Reilly, Sandra Bailey, Roxann Harris, Pam Sponenburgh, and Doreen Kurschinske. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Tom Reilly, Joe Kloss, and Steve Sponenburgh; two nephews, Chad Reilly and Joey Kloss; and his nieces, Christine Liscinsky, Lisa Reilly, Stephanie Paluzzi, Emily Baumgart, Kristin Kurschinske, and Ashley, Heather, and Autumn Rapp; a great-nephew, Nicholas; and great-nieces, Lily, Mia, Zoe, and Mya.
Ed was especially fond of his housemates, Lois, Kelly, and Blake; his caretakers and the staff at his UCIP home in Shippenville who treated him with love, kindness, and respect. His family is extremely grateful to all of them.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Friends will be received Saturday (July 18) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca Cranberry Township. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home Saturday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Frederick Monk, pastor at Calvary United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Brandon Cemetery in Cranberry.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ed’s memory may be made to the Special Olympics — PA Clarion County, P.O. Box 545, Clarion, PA 16214.
To send an online condolence to Ed’s family, or for additional information, visit www.hilebest.com.
