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m. Est 1887
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In Memory of Shelby Harris March 31, 1901 - July 25, 2012 Obituary Shelby Harris, 111, of Rock Island, IL, the oldest man in Illinois, oldest man in the United States, & 3rd oldest man in the world passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at the Rock Island Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Funeral Services will be at 12:00 noon on August 1, 2012 at the Second Baptist Church Rock Island, IL. Visitation is 10 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow at the Rock Island National Cemetery on Arsenal Island. Memorials may be made to the Second Baptist Church. Condolences may be left at www.hodgsonfuneralhome.com. Shelby Harris was born March 31, 1901 the youngest of 7 children born to William & Alice Harris. He was born & grew up in a small southern Indiana town called Ayrshire. In his youth he worked in the area coal mines until he moved to Clinton, Indiana. He later relocated to East Moline, IL and worked at the Union Malleable (which became the John Deere foundry). Mr. Harris served in the US Army during WWII and had worked at the "Dutch Inn", downtown rock Island until it closed. Mr. Harris was married to Jimmie Moore who preceded him in death in 1977. Mr. Harris, Deacon Shelby, Uncle Shelby, or Uncle Shelfy as he was lovingly called, was a member & Deacon of the Second Baptist Church for over 65 years and was active until he was 102 years old. He went into the Rock Island Nursing & Rehab Center at the age of 105 years. On June 1, 2012, he became the oldest man to have been born in Indiana. In June of 2012 he was crowned the 1st King of the Juneteenth Festival in Davenport (an African American Celebration). Shelby had 5 grandchildren, several great & great – great grand children, his church family and other friends & family whom he leaves behind to remember him. He was proud to be an American and was very thankful to have seen the first black president in the White House. Survivors include his grandchildren ... and several great grandchildren. Shelby was preceded in death by his parents, 2 daughters, wives, 4 brothers & 2 sisters. The family would like to thank the staff of the R.I. Nursing & Rehab Center for the love they showed in the care provided to Shelby. He was dad, grandpa, the god-father, and many other loving names nicknames to all of them that served him and got to know him, they too were his family. We thank God for all of you. Source: Hodgson Funeral Home View the life of Shelby with photos and music References
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