Richard Lee Harkness

Richard Lee Harkness, more commonly known as Dick or “Snuffy”, age 85, of Canton passed away peacefully on February 8th at Graham Hospital in Canton. Richard was born on February 16, 1936 to Milo and Vera (Oldfield) Harkness in Elmwood. After Richard graduated from Elmwood High School in 1954, Richard entered the work force working as a truck driver for a short time and then spent most of his life working as a pressman at the Canton Daily Ledger and the Peoria Journal Star. He retired from the Peoria Journal Star after a long career there. In 1963, Richard met Coralie Ellen Willson and they were married on November 15, 1964. Richard and Coralie parented five children together: Danny, Lanny, Lori, and Terry and Joey Williams and Shawn Harkness. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Joey Rumler (Sarah), Jessica Kimbrough (Wesley), Jake Williams (Ashleigh), Charity Beoletto (Tovi), Jared Williams (Beth), Andy Harkness (Shelby), Shelby Hansen (Jacob), Brady Harkness, and Travis Williams (Vivian) and 8 great-grandchildren: Brooklyn & Bostyn Kimbrough, Bryson Rumler, Tinleigh Williams, Tovin and Trulee Beoletto, Trenton Williams, and Everleigh Harkness (and one great-grandson to be born later this year), and one brother Ronald (the late Cathy) Harkness, of London Mills. Richard and Coralie spent their free time camping with family and friends. They loved to travel to the annual Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. They were also long-time members of the First Baptist Church in Canton. Richard loved working at the Food Pantry in the Baptist Church and spent many hours there, when his health allowed, passing out food to the less fortunate of Canton and Fulton County. He loved music and enjoyed listening to live music at the Big Creek Park Community Center and the American Grill. Snuffy also enjoyed being a part of the First Baptist Church Choir for many years. Richard was preceded in death by his wife Coralie of 46 years, two sons, Danny Williams and infant son Joey Williams, his father and mother, Milo and Vera Harkness, and two sisters Betty Wheeler and Kay Hogue. He is survived by, son Lanny Williams (Des Moines, IA), daughter Lori Rumler (Harry), (Canton), son Terry Williams (Canton), and Shawn Harkness (Jen) of (Huntington, IN), 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, and one brother, Ronald (the late Cathy) Harkness. Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Church Food Pantry, an organization Richard felt strongly about. To leave online condolences please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com