John R. Harty

                Muncie-John R. Harty, 90, passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 7, 2018, at the Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.  He was born on, October 9, 1927 in Muncie, the son of George and Pearl B. (King) Harty, and is survived by his wife of 69 years Betty Jean (Conley) Harty, five sons, Johnnie G. Harty (wife-Marjie), Richland, Georgia, Ronnie Harty (wife-Bonnie), Willard Harty (wife-Nina), Stephen W. Harty (wife-Phyllis), Shawn Harty, all of Muncie; two daughters, Betty Roberts (companion-Charles) and Lindy Ann Smeltzer, both of Muncie; fifty nine grandchildren; forty two great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren; three brothers, Ronald Harty, William Harty, both of Muncie and Larry Harty (wife-Nila), Florida; one sister, Sonya K. Patterson (husband-Bob), Muncie; one daughter-in-law, Karina Harty, Wellsville, Ohio; several nieces and nephews.

                He is preceded in death by his son, Michael Lee Harty in 2017;  parents; two brothers, George Lavonne Harty and Daniel Harty; three sisters, Rosemary Carr, Pearl H. Brown and Myrtle Long.

                John had many talents.  In 1950 he flew a crop dusting plane.  In 1960 he was on WLBC TV as a Jitterbug Champion also that same year he became the first canine officer for the Delaware County Sheriffs Dept. under then Sheriff Harry Howard.  In 1970 he earned his Doctorate of Jurist Prudence diploma from the John Marshall Law University at the Southern Union College of Savannah, Georgia, taught criminal justice and self defense at the Chatahoochi Valley Community College (CVCC) in Phenix City, Alabama.  While in Phenix City, he was a deputy sheriff and also served as a city policeman for Lumpkin, Georgia.  He had been the body guard for Lauren Green when he was making the movie “A time for miracles.”  Mr. Harty was also used as an extra in the movie “The long riders” working with the Keith’s, the Caradine’s and several other family brothers.  He had been decorated for injuries obtained in World War II while serving in the U.S. Army with Combat Engineers.

                Mr. Harty was very active in various Masonic positions having been a member of the Indianapolis Murat Shrine, Masonic Lodges #46 in Muncie, Home Lodge #351 in Phenix City, Alabama, the Eastern Star and the Order of the Amaranth.  John was also bestowed the honor of being a Kentucky Colonel.

                Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 10:00 A.M. at the Parson Mortuary with Pastor Flynt Redwine officiating.  Burial will follow at the Elm Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery.  Military honors will be rendered by the Delaware County Honor Guard.  Masonic rites will be rendered by the Whitney Lodge on Monday evening, March 12, 2018 at 7:30 P.M.

                Friends may call at the Parson Mortuary on Monday, March 12, 2018, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and again on Monday, March 13, 2018, from 9:00 A.M. until service time.

                Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children 3229 Burnet Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45229-3095.

                Online condolences may be made to the family in care of www.parsonmortuary.com.

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