John H. “Howard” Lursen, 81, Leesburg, passed away at 9:46 p.m. Jan. 3, 2015, in Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. He was born April 24, 1933, in Kosciusko County, to John and Marie McKibben Lursen. On May 3, 1953, in Warsaw, he married Monva Jean Morgan, his wife of 60 years, who survives in Leesburg. He faithfully served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict from Jan. 2, 1952, to Dec. 15, 1955. He served on the U.S.S. Prairie AD 15 with the rank of damage controlman petty officer second class. He was a self-employed farmer. He also worked for Champion Door for 35 years, retiring in 1993. He then founded Country Door in 1993, retiring in 2003. He graduated from Leesburg High School, Class of 1951. He attended Leesburg United Methodist Church, and was a life member of American Legion Post #49, Warsaw. Also surviving are three sons: Brian (and spouse Cindy) Lursen, Warsaw; Bevin Lursen and Brent (and spouse Kathy) Lursen, all of Leesburg; his daughter, Rhonda (and spouse Kevin) Dishman, Leesburg; his brother, Fred Lursen, Mobile, Ala.; his sister, Ruth Hamond, Warsaw; 10 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Robin Lursen, and his grandson, Justin Nealy. A celebration of life will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the residence of Dennis Polk, 123 E. Harper Road, Leesburg. A private graveside service will be in Leesburg Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126, Warsaw. ***** Memorials to Visiting Nurse Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814 or to Kosciusko Homecare and Hospice, P.O. Box 1196, Warsaw, IN 46581-1196. Condolences via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
