Cathy Harkness

Cathy Colleen Christensen Harkness, 66, of London Mills passed away at 4:57 p.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2016, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria.  She was surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born October 30, 1949, in Canton to Clarence and Barbara Christensen.  She married Steven R. Coleman on January 6, 1967.  They later divorced but remained good friends throughout the years.  She married Ronald L. Harkness on June 28, 1976. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.  He survives.

Also surviving are five children, Angela (Cary) Coleman Formhals of Canton, Melinda Coleman Laub of Bloomington, Chad Coleman of Canton, Kimberly (Greg) Harkness Niedzwiecki of Atlanta, GA, and Milo (Keonia) Harkness of Havelock, NC; two sisters, Susan (Don) Bushnell of Foley, AL and Tammy (Ken) Carter of Chatham; and nine grandchildren, Hobie, Emma, and Boone Formhals, Spencer and Lauren Laub, Noah and Carmella Niedzwiecki, and Na’Tya and Jason Harkness.  Cathy was also a grandmother figure to younger sister Tammy’s four children, Allen, Martin, Lucas, and Catherine (Cathy).
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Clarence (Rick) Christensen; one son, Jason Edward Harkness II; and one grandson, Seth Niedzwiecki.

Cathy was a homemaker who was often credited with being able to do just about anything she put her mind to.  She enjoyed and was exceptional at sewing, crocheting, canning, gardening, cooking and baking, genealogy, and fixing anything that needed fixing.  Since Ron’s retirement, they enjoyed traveling across the country in their camper, especially to North Carolina where they spent the past three winters.  Cathy was a special wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend to so many.  Her wisdom and great strength will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 8, 2016, at Monterey United Methodist Church.  Ron and Cathy’s niece, Pastor Carol Stufflebeam, will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen, the American Diabetes Association, or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Cremation rites have been accorded.  Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton is assisting with arrangements.  To leave online condolences please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com
Oaks-Hines Funeral Home - Canton & Elmwood, IL