There are some people whose contagious spirits, even after they die, fill the streets of a community.  And if you were fortunate enough to share time with one of those people during their lives, you can’t help but carry a lasting piece of their heart and energy within you.

Harry Voorhis was such a person.  Harry left an undeniable legacy of positivity and passion for his community and for life itself.

While Harry was involved extensively in many pivotal scenes in Indiana during his lifetime—his 60+ year dedication to the Salvation Army, his trusted and successful career as a funeral director, and his instrumental role on the Monticello Redevelopment Commission restoration team after the 1974 tornado, to name just a few—first and foremost, Harry’s greatest love was his family.     Harry was married to his high school sweetheart, E. Jean Voorhis for 50 years 2 weeks and 2 days.  Recalling Harry’s fond childhood memories of time spent at our local parks and lakes, Harry and Jean chose White County as the perfect spot to raise their family. In 1967, the couple moved with their four daughters from Lebanon, Indiana to join the Monticello

community.

Many years later, Jean was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma. During her seven-year battle, Harry said he wanted to do something to make sure his treasured wife would be remembered in the community.  After coming across a newspaper article about CFWC, Harry reached out to Director Connie Neininger to see if the Community Foundation might offer some possibilities.

That conversation led to the creation of the E. Jean Voorhis Memorial Scholarship in 2000.  Though Jean never attended college, she was inspired by the foundations and values lived through Home Economics, Music, and Teaching.  The Advised Fund lovingly created in her name by Harry and the couple’s four daughters helps Twin Lakes graduates pursue undergraduate work in these fields.  Jean Voorhis loved her family and friends, valued education, and was a devoted member of this community – and now, through this scholarship, her love and devotion will live forever.

Harry’s work with the Community Foundation didn’t stop there.

In 1999, Harry married Patricia (Pat) McClure, another community-minded spirit.  Pat had been married to Malcolm McClure and, in fact, the two couples had been close friends for many years.  Malcolm had been very involved with Camp Tecumseh, and Harry encouraged Pat to work with CFWC to establish a fund to honor Malcolm’s memory.  Together with brother-in-law Peter McClure, Pat established the Malcom McClure Memorial Fund to benefit the YMCA Camp Tecumseh in Brookston. This Designated Fund supports campership fees for children who may otherwise not be able to attend Camp.

It’s no doubt that Harry Voorhis touched the lives of countless individuals during his lifetime. He deeply believed in serving the people he loved, and that gospel will continue to sound for generations to come. While Harry has moved on to a more heavenly place, his story and love are sealed into the very tapestry of this community.