Paul C. Harris

Paul Clinton Harris, 62, of Belleville, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 4, 2022, in Belleville, IL.

He was born on July 17, 1959, to Dr. Delbert and Alice (nee Jones) Harris, in Belleville, IL. Paul married Pamela (nee Conrad) Koch-Harris on August 15, 2015, in Swansea, IL.

Paul graduated from Lebanon High School and attended University of Missouri. In his younger days, he was an avid golfer and loved performing at the Looking Glass Playhouse. He was a whiz at sports statistics, especially those of LHS track and field and the St. Louis Cardinals. As a young man, Paul enjoyed writing a sports column for the local paper, providing color commentary for radio broadcasts of local basketball games and traveling to the Olympics with his dad, brother, and coach. Paul and his brother, Jeff, operated Elsie’s Country Kitchen in Lebanon, IL, for several years, where he honed his cooking skills. He was a master of kitchen efficiency, organization, training, and sanitation. These skills served him well as he worked for national restaurant chains for many years, excelling in the grueling work of opening new stores across the country. Paul was funny, kind, compassionate, and had a big personality. He greeted all with a smile and always took the time to catch up. Recently, his greatest joys were traveling with his wife, talking with friends at the meat counter at Schnucks in O’Fallon, IL, spending time with his family, and taking great pride in his grandchildren, niece, and nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Delbert and Alice Harris.

Paul is survived by his wife, Pam Koch-Harris; stepchildren, LeAnn Koch, Anna Bevineau; "adopted" stepdaughter, Emily Elam; step grandchildren, Aleah Bevineau, Alex Bevineau, Ariana Richardson; step-mother, Mary Metzger-Harris; siblings, Jeanine (Jerry) Buttimer, Jeff Harris; niece, Kelsey Buttimer; nephew, Keegan (Rachel) Buttimer; brother-in-law, Terry (Karen) Conrad; sister-in-law, Patti (Ed) Price; many dear cousins and friends.

Memorials may be made to the Lebanon Lions Club, the Lebanon Rotary Club, or the Lebanon Matthew 25.40 Ministries.

Memorial Visitation: Wednesday, June 8, 2022, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL, and Thursday, June 9, 2022, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Lebanon, IL.

Memorial Service: Thursday, June 9, 2022, 11:00 am, St. Paul United Church of Christ, Lebanon, IL.

Clergy: Rev. Dr. Don Wagner, Pastor, St. Paul United Church of Christ, Lebanon, IL.

Interment:  At a later date

Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL.