Nancy R. Harter, 75, a resident of rural Fort Wayne and widow of Francis M. Harter, Jr., passed away at 4:35 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at Kingston Care Center in Fort Wayne. She had been in failing health since January and had been a patient there for the past five weeks.

Mrs. Harter was born on Nov. 2, 1940, in Lake Township, a daughter of William H. and Agnes M. (Lindsey) McCormick. She spent her formative years in Lake Township and graduated from Arcola High School in 1959.

On Dec. 28, 1963, she was married in Lake Township to Francis M. Harter, Jr. of Churubusco and had lived at the family residence in Eel River Township since 1968.  Employed as an executive secretary during her adult life, she had worked at National Mill Supply in Fort Wayne for 20 years and later retired from National Plastics in Fort Wayne.

She was a dedicated member of St. John’s Lutheran Church-Lake Township and in her leisure time enjoyed traveling throughout all 50 states and abroad. A farm girl at heart, she loved working outside and enjoyed yard work and gardening. Most especially, she loved and cherished her family.

Mr. Harter preceded her in death on June 11, 2015.

The surviving relatives include her three children: Ronald (Karen) Harter, Donald (Diane) Harter, and Annette (Calvin) Schmidt, all of Fort Wayne; two sisters: Margaret (Robert) Bradtmiller of Warsaw; and Judy (Stephen) Wiwi of Fort Wayne; her six grandchildren: Amanda (Bill) Notestine, Brian (Melanie) Harter, Stacy (Jonathan) Ware, Jerad (Mary) Harter, Kaitlyn Schmidt, and Heather Schmidt; and six great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister: Jean Mills in 1983.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at St. John’s Lutheran Church-Lake Township, 7914 W. Cook Road with Pastors Michael H. Tamorria and Ralph Easterhaus, officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, or one hour prior to the service Wednesday morning.

Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, Allen County.

Sheets and Childs Funeral Home, 206 N. Main St., Churubusco, was in charge of arrangements.