Richard F. Harris

Richard was born in Spalding, Michigan to Roy and Lilly Harris and raised in the Power/Spalding area, where he helped out at his family’s service station. He received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Northern Michigan University, and taught in the Munising Area. He then began work as a tax auditor for the state of Michigan, a role he would serve in for 42 years. Richard married Marlene Piontek in 1960, and the two would spend the next 57 loving years together, building a life in Wilson, Mich. and raising their daughter Kathy.

Richard was a devoted member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Bark River, where he served as a Eucharistic minister for many years. He was also a member of the Bay Sages and the Bay de Noc Square Dance Club. Richard especially enjoyed volunteering every summer at the Upper Peninsula State Fair, supervising the management of the poultry barn. He was an avid deer hunter and cribbage player, and he enjoyed time in the outdoors and with his cats.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife Marlene, his parents Roy and Lilly Harris, and brothers Bob and Jim Harris.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen (William) Lynch of Neenah, Wis.; grandchildren, Christine Lynch (Taylor Janney), Jennifer (Samuel) Jefferies, and Laura (Eric) Rinkus; and great-grandchildren, Leah and William Jefferies, Zelda and Athena Janney, and Callum Rinkus.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 8 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Bark River, Michigan. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12 p.m. Remembrances can be sent to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Bark River.

He will be laid to rest next to his wife in Spalding Twp. Cemetery.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.