Harry A. Stewart

Harry A. Stewart, 85, of North Vernon, passed away at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at his residence.

Born December 11, 1934, in Jennings County, he was the son of the late William and Elma Viola (Reece) Stewart. He married his first wife, Betty Jane (Breeck) Stewart on January 28, 1961 in Austin; she preceded him in death on April 19, 2011. He later married his second wife, Dee (Swindell) Stewart.

Harry graduated from Vernon High School in 1953, from Hanover College in 1957, and from I.U. with a master’s degree in 1961. He was the first basketball player in Jennings County to score over 1,000 points and is listed in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in New Castle. He worked as a teacher and a track and cross-country coach at Vernon High School, North Vernon High School, and Jennings County High School. While coaching at North Vernon and Jennings County High Schools, his track team won two conference titles, and one team won both the EAC and HHC in the same year. While coaching at Vernon High School, his team won the All Sports Conference trophy in 1963. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity in Hanover, the Zion Baptist Church, the Indiana State Teachers Association, and the Indiana Post Card Club. Harry enjoyed golfing, gardening, reading, and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Dee Stewart of North Vernon; son, William Bryan (Ginger) Stewart of Fort Wayne; daughter-in-law, Linda Ellerbrook of North Vernon; sister, Ruby Cunningham of Columbus; grandchildren, Lori Dawn Leahigh of North Vernon, Justin Edward Ellerbrook of St. Petersburg, Florida, Brook Rene (Shane) Stewart Zimmerman of Indianapolis, P.J. King of Seymour, and Nathan King of New Albany; great grandchildren, Garrett Cole (Morgan) Leahigh and Benjamin Wallace, both of North Vernon, Mary Elizabeth Leahigh of St. Augustine, Florida, and Abigail Jane Zimmerman and Katherine Elizabeth Zimmerman, both of Indianapolis; and great-great granddaughter, Eva Leahigh of North Vernon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; son, Don Ellerbrook; and sisters, Emma Jean Stewart and Marjorie Funke.

A funeral service for Harry will be held at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, September 14, 2020, at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery.

Memorials may be made through the funeral home in Harry’s honor to Our Hospice of Jennings County or to Jennings County High School’s Track and Field team.

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