Jennie Alice Harner (102) of Brownstown

Mrs. Jennie Alice (Logue) Harner, 102, entered her heavenly rest at 5:05 a.m. Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at Aperion Care in St. Elmo, attended by family and caregivers.

Jennie Alice was born on May 26, 1917 to Harold and Ethel (Goodson) Logue. Her brother Norman Logue and sister Shirley Aszman survive her. A brother William preceded her in death as well as her sisters-in-law, Betty Logue and Hazel Logue, and brother-in-law, Robert Aszman.

Jennie Alice graduated from St. Elmo High School in 1934. She attended Illinois State University in Bloomington and received a rural teaching certificate in 1936. She was 19 years old when she began teaching. At New Union School on the Avena Road, Jennie Alice taught 20 students and had grades 1-8 all at the same time. In 1942, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree from ISU. The following year, 1943, she married Joseph Pershing Harner, a WWII army soldier, at Fairview Methodist Church on the Avena road. They were faithful members of Fairview Church their entire lives. In addition to teaching 44 years, Jennie Alice was a registered beautician for 55 years. She was the owner/operator of the Jo Alice Beauty Salon from 1944 – 2008.

Jennie Alice and Joe had seven children, two sons and five daughters: Jenetia (David) Ruble, White Cloud, MI; Joseph P. Harner II (deceased), spouse Idalee (Richard) Content, Rockford, MI; Jarielle (deceased), spouse, Gary Winkleman, Springield, IL; Jvee (Theresa) Harner, Effingham, IL; Javonda (Gary) Barnes, Bangkok, Thailand; Jorita (Gary) Cook, E. LeRoy, MI; JoAlice (Steve) Dobbs, Stillwater, OK.

Jennie Alice’s seven children gave her 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

In 1980 Joe and Jennie Alice were honored by Greenville University as Parents of the Year “for their loyalty to the college and dedication as Christian parents.”

When asked at her 100th birthday party what kept her young, she responded: “A love of God, love of the Bible, love for attending church, love of family, love of school, love of reading, love of serving others.”

Visitation will be on Friday evening at Liberty Christian Church, rural Brownstown from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. A service celebrating Jennie Alice’s life will be at Liberty Church on Saturday, August 31 at 10:00 a.m. with Gary Barnes, Dr. Josh Mateer and Gary Winkleman officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Brownstown Community Unit School District #201 Foundation, Fairview Church, Fairview Cemetery, or Aperion Care Activity Department. Gieseking Funeral Home, Brownstown is assisting the family with arrangements.

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