Gary Lynn Harbaugh, the fourth of five children, was born to Merritt P. and Elma J. (Gliem) Harbaugh on April 11, 1944, in Cherokee, OK. He spent his childhood growing up and helping on the family farms at Jefferson and later in Webster City. He graduated from Webster City High School in 1962, then worked first at Morton Frozen Foods in Webster City and later for Western Electric, installing telephone equipment in offices across the state of Iowa.
Gary married Hollie J. Watson of Clarion on June 28, 1969. The couple moved to Jefferson where Gary worked as a policeman, operated his own shoe repair shop and worked at NAPA Auto Parts. During this time, two daughters, Shelley Jean and Kelley Lynne, were born.
Gary’s hobbies were motorcycles and cars. This passion included motorcycle trips to Sturgis, SD,, and Colorado. Many weekends the family attended car shows and “Show and Shine” events. In later years, motor scooters and flea markets were Gary’s favorite hobbies.
Gary Harbaugh passed away April 24, 2025, at the age of 81 years. Services will be held Friday, May 30, at 11 am at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, with the family greeting friends beginning at 10 am, prior to the service. Private interment at the Jefferson Cemetery will take place at a later time.
Left to honor his memory are daughters Shelley (Ryan) Van Der Meide and Kelley McCane; grandchildren Hayden Van Der Meide, Lila Van Der Meide, Maya McCane and Madelyn McCane; sister Linda Cormaney; sister-in-law Janice Harbaugh; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to P.A.W.S. of Jefferson, Iowa or First Baptist Church of Jefferson.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Jefferson, 515-386-2171.
