HARBISON, Byrnina

Byrnina Harbison

Source: Found in a collection of old obituaries saved by Mary Jo Johnson, found in Crawfordsville District Public Library. We appreciate Mary Jo's willingness to share these. (Used with permission)

JUNE 16, 1944
BYRNINA HARBISON

"There are stars that go out in the darkness,

But whose silvery light shineth on,

There are roses whose perfume still lingers

When the blossoms are faded and gone.

There are hearts full of light and sweetness

When no longer their life current flows,

Still their goodness lives in the living

Like the souls of the star and the rose. "

Byrnina, the only daughter of Olive Jackson and Olivia Harbison, was born near Russellville on Sept. 1, 1913. She answered the sudden call of the Master on June 4, 1944, at the age of 30 years; 9 months and three days.

Byrnina attended the Russell Center Grade school and graduated from the Russellville high school in 1931. Early in life she became a member of the Russellville Christian church. In 1937 the family moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she was employed by the Collier Book Company. Two years ago the family moved to near Chicago and there she was employed at the Marshall Fields Department Store.

She leaves to deeply miss her: her mother, Mrs. Olivia Harbison, of Chicago; two brothers, Merrill, of Indianapolis, and Dale, of Chicago; a sister-in-law, Mildred, and two nieces, Joyce and Jenny Lynn, of Indianapolis; and many relatives and friends. Byrnina was a close pal of her father, with whom she worked, played and departed this life. Together, hand in hand, they walked into the loving presence of the Heavenly Father whose wisdom, mercy, and goodness now supply their every need.

"Their toils are past,

Their works done,

And they are fullest blest;

They fought the fight,

The . . . .

And entered into rest. "

Funeral services were conducted in the Russellville Christian church qt 4:00 P. M. Thursday, June 8, with Rev. Harry Davis of Brownsburg, assisted by Rev. Van Buren, in charge. Interment was in the family lot at Hebron cemetery.

The flower bearers were: Mrs. . . . . Floyd Fowler, Mrs. Dalton Harrison, Mrs. Ivan Harbison, Mrs. Delbert Lewis, Mrs. Bertrell Murdock, Mrs. John Harbison, Mrs. Raymond Harbison, Mrs. Ralph Harbison, Mrs. Wesley Harbison, Mrs. Kenneth Harbison, Mrs. Max Kelly, Mrs. Leo Wiatt, Mrs. Burley Allgood, Mrs. John Grimes, Mrs. E. W. Baker, Mrs. Donald McGaughey, Mrs. Alvan Clodfelter, Mrs. Otis Clodfelter and Misses Helen Harbison, Lucille Harbison, Vida Harbison, Mildred Lou Clodfelter, Carolyn Sue Clodfelter, Judie Baker, Jean Fowler, Barbara Ensor, Ruth Harbison and Ruth Clodfelter.

The pall bearers were the following cousins: Virgil Ballard, Ralph Harbison, Norman Clodfelter, Ivan Harbison, Donald McGaughey and Cyril Johnson.

At the conclusion of the funeral services, an impressive memorial service was held for the father, Oliver Harbison, who lost his life by drowning and whose body has not yet been recovered.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to express our deep and sincere thanks to our many relatives, friends, Rev. Davis, Rev. Van Buren, Mr. Ralph McGaughey, the undertaker; the singer's, the flower, bearers, the pall bearers, and all who gave the many beautiful flowers during the sad bereavement of our beloved daughter and sister.

Mrs. Olivia Harbison.

Mr. Dale Harbison.

Mr. Merrill Harbison and family.

Ollie Harbison And Daughter Drown in Lake

Two former Russellville residents, Ollie Harbison, about 57, and his daughter, Miss Byrnina Harbison, were drowned Sunday when their boat capsized in Lake Michigan at Chicago.

According to the word received by Russellville relatives Sunday evening, Mr. Harbison's body had not been recovered at that time. Also in the boat were his wife, Oliva, and a nephew, Lt. Clyde Harbison, who were rescued and taken to a hospital for shock treatment.

Survivors of Mr. Harbison are the widow, two sons, two sisters, Mrs. Cleve Grimes of Russellville and Mrs. Walter McGaughey of Montgomery county; and three brothers, Turner, Clay and Wilbur Harbison, and two grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Turner Harbison, Clay Harbison and Mrs. McGaughey left immediately for Chicago upon receiving the message. It is planned to hold the funeral services in Russellville.

DOUBLE RITES FOR CANOE VICTIMS HELD

A double funeral service was held at the Russellville Christian church for Miss Byrnina Harbison, age 31, and father, Oliver Harbison, age 57, who met death Sunday afternoon, June 4. The father and daughter were riding in a canoe on Lake Michigan near Chicago, Ill. The canoe capsized, Byrnina's body was found immediately but her fathers has never been recovered.

Rev. H. A. Davis, Brownsburg, and former pastor of the church, delivered the sermons for both of' the deceased. Rev. J. G. Van Buren, present pastor, assisted. Others' assisting were Mrs. Rossie Spencer, Blanche Bellas and Alma Gardner furnishing the music; Donald McGaughey, Cyril Johnson, Ralph Harbison, Virgil Ballard, Ivan Harbison and Norman Clodfelter, pallbearers; girl cousins were the flower bearers.

Burial was made in the Hebron cemetery.

Source: Roachdale Times-News 15 June 1944

Harbison, Burnina, age 31 and her father, Oliver J. Harbison age 57, met with death Sunday afternoon June 4th. The daughter and father were riding in a canoe on Lake Michigan near Chicago, Illinois. The canoe capsized. Burnina’s body was found immediately but her father has never been recovered. A double funeral service was held at the Russellville Christian Church. Burial was in Hebron Cemetery.

Source: South Bend Tribune Monday 5 June 1944 p11

Chicago June 5 – Coast guardsmen searched Lake Michigan today for the bodies of two of three victims who lost their lives as an estimated 800,000 Chicagoans sought relief from the unprecedent heat along the unguarded lake shore. Victims were Oliver Harbison, 56; his daughter, Brynina, 30 and Wesley Lasaw, 39.

Source: Chicago Tribune Monday 5 June 1944 p 1 – photo

Two persons were drowned and a third was reported missing after two accidents on Lake Michigan yesterday, The two death occurred when a kayak (Eskimo Canoe) overturned in the lake off Dempster St, Evanston. The man reported missing was one of 7 to 10 persons on a lake excursion sightseeing boat that hit a log and sank 400 yard from shore off Van Buren St. here. The dead in the kayak tragedy were Byrnina Harbison, 30 and her father, Oliver J. Harbison, 57 of 1326 Austin Avenue, Cicero. Lt. (j.g) Clyde L. Harbison, 30 of 1315 Oak St, Evanston an instructor of midshipmen at Abbott Hall of Northwestern University was rescued. Mrs. Oliver J. Harbison, 57, wife and mother of the victims and Lt. Harbison’s wife, Inez, 28, were sitting on the beach and saw the kayak upset. They witnessed the rescue by the Wilmette Coast Guard and watched Evanston police and firemen attempt to revive the drowned woman with a pulmotor. Mrs. Oliver Harbison collapsed and was taken to Evanston hospital. She did not know last night that her daughter was dead. Lt. Harbison was taken to Evanston Hospital, where his condition was reported satisfactory. The coast guard continued searching the lake for the body of the elder Harbison, who was the Lt’s uncle.

Source: Orlando Sentinel Monday 5 June 1944 p2

Chicago – A father and his daughter were drowned in Lake Michigan yesterday and a Navy Lt. was rescued after their boat capsized. The accident occurred off the foot of Davis St. in Evanston. The victims were identified as Oliver Harbison, 56 1326 Austin Blvd, Cicero and his 26-year-old daughter, Byrnia. The latter’s body was recovered. Lt. (jg) Clyde Harbison, 30, an instructor at Northwestern University told Evanston police he tried to seize Miss Harbison, his cousin, when their kayak was upset, but failed. He clung to the boat until rescued.