Paula Jane Harshey

Paula J. Harshey, 75, of Gnadenhutten, passed away at her home on Thursday, August 15, 2013 while surrounded by her loving family, after a battle with cancer. Born February 21, 1938 in Dutch Valley near Uhrichsville, she was a daughter of the late Russell E. and Hazel Z. (Haver) Gray.

A lifelong resident of the area, Paula was a graduate of Uhrichsville High School in the class of 1955. She spent many years working for area nursing homes as a nurse’s assistant until her retirement in 2000 and enjoyed rooting for the Cleveland Indians in her spare time. She was a longtime member of First Assembly of God in New Philadelphia. Paula’s greatest joy came from the time that she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will cherish many happy memories from traveling with her to Myrtle Beach where she loved to walk along the beach, hunting seashells.

On May 27, 1955, Paula married Robert J. Harshey, Sr. with whom she enjoyed nearly fifty-four years of marriage until his passing on April 10, 2009. They are survived by three sons, Robert J. “Bobby” (Mary Ann) Harshey, Jr. of Uhrichsivlle and twins, Bart (Judy) Harshey and Bret (Wendy) Harshey of New Philadelphia; a daughter, Joleen (Dale) Reichman of Gnadenhutten; grandchildren, Dustin (companion, Erin) Harshey, Richie Heavilin, Rachelle (Cody) Braun, Anthony (Lindsay) Harshey, Nicholas (Ciara) Harshey, Shawn (fiancée, Jessica) Harshey, Shane Harshey, Lacy (Jeff) McGrath, Clay Reichman, Matthew Laizure, and Travis (Amber) Laizure; and great-grandchildren, Dereck, Hailey, Camryn, Cain, Blaire, Rowan, Soloman, Nolan. Paula is also survived by two sisters, Judy Yonley of Gnadenhutten and Barbara Myers of Tuscarawas; a brother, Richard Gray of Edison, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. Her family wishes to extend special thanks to a niece and two dear friends, Myra Anderson, Jill Walker and Lois Dorto, for their loving devotion and assistance to Paula during her final illness. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sisters, Emeline McConnell, Charlotte Haas and Dorothy Hutmire; a brother, Joseph Gray; an infant brother; and a granddaughter-in-law, Karen Heavilin.

Services for Paula, officiated by Pastor Larry Fletcher, will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Interment will follow beside her beloved husband in Uhrichsville’s Union Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. S.W., New Philadelphia, OH 44663.