Joy Harden, 81, of Clay City, died at noon, April 19, 2005 at his home. Born January 25, 1924 to William and Esther May Fisher Harden. He married Carroll hart Harden February 27, 1949. After graduating from Ashboro High School he served in the Amry eleventh airborne as a paratrooper in WWII. During his service in the military he served in the Phillipenens. When returning from the military he worked as a carpenter for a short time, then joined the Operating Engineers Local 841 operating heavy equipment for over 25 years. After leaving the Operating Engineers he began J. M. Harden Excavating and continued working until being diagnosed with colon cancer in early August 2004. he was a member of Clay Masonic Lodge #85, serving as Secretary, Treasurer and was currently serving as Junior Warden, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Terre Haute, Zorah Shrine, as well as Bowling Green Order of Eastern Lodge #304. He was also a member of Saline City EUB Church and regularly attended New Hope Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother Galen Harden; one sister and brother in law Lois and Glen Youngblood; one brother in law Dale Sims; and a granddaughter Tobi Lynn Gerber.

Survivors include his wife Carroll of Clay City, one son John and wife Marilyn of Coal City; a daughter elena and husband Jeff Gerber of Clay City; one brother Brenton Harden and wife Carol of Center Point; a sister Geneva Sims of Vincennes, and a sister in law Mary Harden of Spencer; Four grandchildren Jamie Jo Lowder and husband John II of Coal City, Jimmy Harden of Coal City, Alex Gerber of Clay City, and Ashlee Gerber also of Clay City; three great grandchildren Dillon VanArsdale, Jessica Lowder and Daniel Lowder all of Coal City. As well as a large extended family.

Services will be Saturday April 23, 2005 at 1 p.m. at Schoppenhorst Funeral Home with rev. Nathan Couch officiating. Burial will follow at Beech Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday at the funeral home from 4 -- 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of the Wabash Valley of Masonic Lodge #85; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Visit www.schoppenhorstfuneralhome.com to light a candle in his memory.