Joseph R. Harding Obituary (1927 - 2013)

Joseph R. Harding, 85, of Pontiac, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. in hospice at Good Samaritan in Flanagan. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Southside Cemetery in Pontiac when his ashes will be laid to rest alongside those of his wife Marion (Litzer) Harding, who passed away in November of last year. He is survived by two sons, Joseph M. Harding and James B. Harding. Services will be given by Pastor Tom Krieger of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fairbury, IL. Joe was born on October 27, 1927 in Owego Township to Joseph W. Harding and Helen (Wilson) Harding. He has two surviving siblings, Marjorie Jacobson and Barbara Jenkins. Joe was a 1945 graduate from Pontiac Township High School (PTHS) and served in the Navy during WWII, stationed in the South Pacific. He went on to earn a Bachelors in Biology from Carthage College in Carthage, IL where he met his future wife, Marion. Joe and Marion returned to Pontiac where Joe farmed land within Owego Township and became a teacher at PTHS for 21 years. In the early 60's, he furthered his education by obtaining his Masters in Psychology from Illinois State University. After retiring from teaching, for the next 17 years, he became a psychologist for the State of Illinois, practicing within the central Illinois region. Joe was known around the country as an early promoter for mainstreaming of special needs children and became responsible for implementing many programs to help special needs children and adults. Many of these programs or their descendants are still with us today, such as the Livingston County Special Services Unit in Pontiac, IL. Those wishing to honor the life of Joe Harding can give financial donations to Trinity Lutheran Church of Fairbury, IL or give non-financial donations by giving your time and energies to help a special needs child.