Individual Details

Death

MABEL ADAIR HARSHBARGER
Mabel Adair Harshbarger, 80, of Wilmington, entered her new life on Monday, October 22, 2007, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center, surrounded by her loving family.
Mabel was born in Milroy, PA. She graduated from Derry Township High School in Yeagertown, PA, in 1945. She was an excellent basketball player and the enjoyed the competition. Mabel married Jim in 1947 and they began a long and loving life together. She worked for Standard Steel Corporation in Burnham, PA, as a clerk in production Control for many years. She enjoyed playing cards with her childhood friends in the Hilltop Pinochle Club. She retired to Wilmington in 1992 to be closer to her family.
Mabel's hobbies included sewing, quilting, and gardening. She was an excellent cook and baker. She loved spending time with her family and many friends, especially her grandchildren. Most of all she loved the Lord. She was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Yeagertown, PA, and later at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Wilmington. At St. Matthews Mabel participated in the prayer group, the peace circle and the devotional breakfast group.
She always wore a smile and had words of encouragement for those around her. Her light was always shining.
Mabel was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ethel Bishop Kahler and Lloyd B. Kahler and two sisters, Ida Ruth Kahler and Betty Jane Kahler.
She is survived by her husband of almost sixty years, James L. Harshbarger; a son, Dr. John L Harshbarger and wife Jane of Wilmington, NC; a granddaughter, Alison L. of Chapel Hill, NC; a grandson, Ryan J. of Wilmington, NC; three sisters, Daisy N. Santa Lucia of Williamsport, PA, Shirley L. Zook-Smith of Yeagertown, PA and Joan P. Johnson of Hilliard, FL; two brothers, Lloyd H. Kahler of Knoxville, TN, and C. Richard Kahler of Lewistown, PA. She is also survived by multiple nieces and nephews who loved her.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Wilmington, with the Rev. Samuel Zumwalt officiating. Interment will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens. The family will received friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service, Oleander Chapel.
Honorarium donations may be forwarded to the St. Matthews Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, 612 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28409 or to The Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center, 725 Wellington Ave., Wilmington, NC 28412.
The family would like to thank Dr. Birgit Arb for all of her loving care over the past several months.
Tributes and Condolences may be offered to the Harshbarger family by visiting www.mem.com.
Published in the Star-News on 10/24/2007.