Giles E. Harber

Giles E. “Gus” Harber, 87, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, October 19, 2017, at Morningstar Care Homes of Baldwin City. A sung Requiem Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, October 23, 2017, at the Church of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, 5035 Rainbow Blvd., Westwood, Kansas. The rosary will be said at 5:30 P.M., October 22, 2017, at Dengel & Son Mortuary 235, S. Hickory, Ottawa, with a visitation to follow at 6:00 P.M. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ottawa, will be held at 3:00 P.M., Monday. Gus was born April 9, 1930, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, the son of Jacob and Isabella (Weller) Harber. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in Ft. Wayne, with the class of 1948. Gus was united in marriage to Sherry Witham, in the early 1950s, at Avilla, Indiana. She preceded him in death. He married Bonnie Jackson at Kansas City, Kansas. She survives of the home. Other survivors include his ten children, Giles D. Harber of Ottawa, Nathan Harber also of Ottawa, Gregory Harber of Louisburg, Gabrielle Harber of Kansas City, Melissa Harber of Kansas City, Elizabeth Harber of Kansas City, Benjamin Harber also of Kansas City, Kelli Edell of Houston, Texas, Lori Krafft of Ottawa, and Nicol Bruner of Hesston; five siblings, Rosalie Waldon and husband John of Tampa, Florida, Regina Romary and husband Ed of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Bill Harber of Ossian, Indiana, Jim Harber of Hiawassee, Georgia, and Eileen Henry of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and two grandchildren, Bryce Bruner and Brayden Bruner both of Hesston. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Isabella Harber. Gus worked as a loan manager for Household Finance Corporation in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, for 15 years in the 1960s to early 1970s. He was in sales with Warner Lambert in Morris Plains, New Jersey, in the General Diagnostic Division in medical laboratory supplies and equipment, retiring in the early 1990s. Gus later sold real estate for Century 21 of Ottawa for several years. And lastly, he did farm surveys for the National Association of State Department of Agriculture in the late 2000s. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ottawa and the Church of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Westwood. Gus was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3018, Ottawa. He was an avid reader, enjoyed woodworking, landscaping, gardening, working in his vineyard, raising tumbler pigeons and traveling. Above all, Gus loved his family and the time they spent together. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Church of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne or F.S.S.P. Seminary c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Gus’ Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com