Paul A. Harre

IN MEMORY OF: Paul A. Harre Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Paul A. Harre, born February 25, 1944, peacefully transitioned from this life to the next November 18, 2024 with his family by his side. Paul grew up in Nashville, Illinois spent with his parents and three siblings. He had a mischievous spirit, a twinkle in his eye, and loved to run wild and play pranks on his sisters. His lifelong love of singing with diction, preferably in four-part harmony, was fostered by his high school music teacher and continued throughout his life. Following high school, Paul enlisted in the Air Force, serving as a Missile Technician with the 306th Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron. He was named Outstanding Airman of The Year at McCoy Air Force Base, Florida, a recognition he was especially proud of, as his parents and sister were able to attend the awards ceremony. Paul later attended Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale where he would complete his Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and a Doctorate in Education. He spent his entire career at SIU within the College of Technical Careers, and the university always held a special place in his heart. Most days, he could be found wearing an SIU pin on his lapel or something in the shade of Saluki Maroon. While his official roles were in teaching and administration, Paul’s true passion was mentoring students. He found fulfillment in helping them navigate the challenges of schoolwork, career decisions, and the newness of being on their own. Paul was exceptionally proud of the international work he did in collaboration with universities in Korea, Russia, and the West Bank. Delegations from each of the countries were always welcomed in the Harre home with food, love, learning, and laughter. Paul married fellow Nashville High School graduate Catherine (née Ellerbusch) on December 28, 1968. They took their vows seriously and were married nearly 56 years, living in Carbondale, Illinois for most of that time. Together, they raised two beautiful daughters, Michele and Erin. They lived on a peaceful piece of land on the outskirts of Carbondale with their horses, trees, and the quiet of nature. A girl dad before “girl dad” was a thing, Paul found joy working on horsemanship with Michele, coaching many successful girls’ softball teams with Carbondale Junior Sports, helping with high school homecoming float building, and taking Erin to many softball and basketball games. Paul and Cathy were founding members of The Lutheran Church of All Saints in Carbondale, IL, later known as Epiphany Lutheran Church. Paul helped build the original sanctuary, and the wristwatch that he lost in the process is most likely still embedded in a wall there somewhere. He later contributed many wood working projects that remain in the church, a lasting testament to his craftsmanship and memory. The community, love, acceptance, and support at All Saints/Epiphany became and remains a grounding and supportive presence for the Harre Family. Later in his life, Paul was happiest when he could mentor, brag about his kids and grandkids, tinker in his wood shop, fish, and watch Saluki Softball games. His skill at learning where any person was from within the first 2 minutes of meeting them and finding a shared connection to that place or person will remain unmatched. Also unmatched is the size and scope what his family labeled “Harre’s Useless Knowledge”- a vast repertoire of random facts that could be recalled at a moment’s notice, though he could never remember where he left something just five minutes prior. Both Paul and Cathy have had an unparalleled gift of creating a space that allowed those around them to love and care for them as if they were their own. The Harre family thanks the caregiving teams at The Landings in Carbondale, Cedarhurst of Highland, Illinois, and Bond County Home Health and Hospice for their love and care towards the end of Paul’s life. Paul is survived by his wife, Catherine Harre; daughters, Michele (Scott) Heinz and Erin (Ryan) Arnold; grandchildren, Emerson Arnold and William Heinz; sisters, Marlene (Douglas) Groll and Grace (Jack) Fincham, and many nieces and nephews. Given the opportunity, he would also include his “adopted” family- his daughters’ friends, his students, team members, mentees, the staff at facilities where they lived, and the many friends he cherished along the way. He was preceded in death by his parents Adolph “Mike” Harre and Hilda (Vogt) Harre and brother, Alan (Diane) Harre. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home in Murphysboro, Illinois and on Monday, November 25 from 9:00 AM until the time of service at Epiphany Lutheran Church. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024 at Epiphany Lutheran Church at 10:00 AM with Pastor Brian Coffey officiating. Entombment to follow at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park Mausoleum. A luncheon will follow at Epiphany Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial donations be made to Epiphany Lutheran Church and/or Bond County Hospice.

Paul A. Harre

February 25, 1944 - November 18, 2024