AVILLA — Robert Dale Harding, 89 of Avilla died on Friday, May 9th, 2014 at 4:47 PM at the Parkview Noble Community Hospital in Kendallville. Mr. Harding had been in declining health. Mr. Harding was born on October 18, 1924 in Howe, Indiana to the late Harry and Catherine (Brandenberry) Harding. On September 3, 1952 he married Theresa M. Cousino at the Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Avilla; she passed away on July 23, 1992. On October 9, 1993 he married Eleanor L. (Marti) Teders at the Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Garrett; she survives. He proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII as a combat engineer, he was one of the first at the battle of Normandy on D-Day. Once he returned from the service Bob was a patrolman for the City of Kendallville Police Department for over 10 years while working for the police department he also drove truck and retired in 1986 after 40 years of service from Indiana Head Truck. Bob was also a member of the Avilla American Legion Post # 240, Kendallville VFW Post # 2749 and was an active 4th degree member in the Knights of Columbus. He loved collecting model trains. Surviving are his wife Elenor; 1 son and daughter in law, David and Rhonda Harding of Avilla; 1 daughter, Sandra Selby also of Avilla; 3 stepsons and their wives, Gene and Leslie Teders of Fairbanks, Alaska, Gerald and Mary Teders of Garrett and Max and Jenny Teders also of Garrett; 1 stepdaughter and son in law, Linda and James Curry of Michigan City; 1 daughter in law Mary Teders of Festa, MO; 12 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and 1 brother, Jerry Harding in Phoenix, AZ. He is preceded in death by his first wife; 1 daughter Barbara Harding; 1 stepson James Teders; 3 sisters, Dorothy Cusino, Phyllis Raines and Mary Jane Blue; 1 brother, Warren Harding; and 1 step brother Ned Landen. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Avilla. Burial will follow the mass at the Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Avilla. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Avilla American Legion Post # 240. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 13th, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Brazzell Funeral Homes, Avilla Chapel, the rosary service will be held at 7:30 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home. There will also be an additional one hour of visitation prior to the mass on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Masses or to the Saint Mary's Catholic Church. To leave the family a message or to sign the online guest resister book go to Brazzell Funeral Homes | Albion IN, Avilla Indiana funeral homes