Dear Sonja & family,

We were so sorry yesterday to hear that your father “Catfish” (as we knew him) had passed away. He & our father, Jim Bally, had been great friends & fishing buddies for many years. After Dad passed in 1979, Catfish called & talked with our mother every year on November 30th, Dad’s birthday. When Mom passed away in 2000, he began calling Cindy every year. He was such a loyal friend that in 34 years he never failed to make that call until yesterday. That is how we became aware that he was gone. 

We were able to visit your dad in Springfield in the spring of 2012 & are so glad we had that opportunity. He once told Cindy that one day he hoped to be fishing with our dad again “at that lake in the sky.” I’m sure they have had many fishing outings since February 24. And of course our mothers are close at hand to put in their two cents’ worth!!

Auf Wiedersehen, Catfish…

Sincerely, Cindy, Jennifer, Marybeth & John Bally

Sonja & family, our prayers are with you at this time, Harry will be truely missed, he was a kind man to all. My father and mother Paul & Shirley Sternberg enjoyed his visits throughout the years and the many years they served together in the army. He was a very special person to all of our family.

Dear Sonja and Family, I will dearly miss Harry and all of his wonderful stories. He was a joy to be around. I will cherish the memories of him forever. My prayers go out to you and everyone that had the privilege of knowing such a wonderful man.

I will forever miss my big brother who was like a second father to me. I will think of him everyday and bless his daughter Sonja and family. As i know what they are going through. I hope that there life will be full as Sonja's dad was. I am happy to know he is with his wife now. Love little sis.

Dear Sonya, Steve, Casey and Chris
That big brother of mine was the best, but memories are forever and he will remain in my heart until we meet again. This old Sparkplug wiil keep the truck polished and pray for him each day. I know Rich was first in line to greet him...Peace be with you.
Love Aunt Nancy

Dear Sonja and Family,you are forever in our hearts.
To be sure , I will always remember Harry, the story teller the
fisherman. The man I , was so privy to know. God Bless

Dear Sonja and family, my sincere condolence to you with the passing of your father. I have many memories of Uncle Harry, Aunt Lotte, and yourself through the years. I can't put into words the great times we ALL had together in Kewanee and Springfield. May GOD comfort you.

I will definitely miss Harry's stories from his time in the military to his park ranger days. He loved his place at the lake and fishing. We will miss Harry at The Gardens. My prayers are with you Sonja and your family as you go through this time of loss.

I remember going fishing with Harry when I was 6-8 years old. He was kind (and patient) enough to bring my dad, brother and I out on the lake on several occasions.The most memerable was the time I cast his line,pole,and reel into the lake.My heart sunk with that pole as I thought we would never get it back. After several attempts, he retrieved it. It was the most important catch of my day.

Dear Sonja and family, my sincere condolence to you with the loss of your father. He was a very good and kind man. I have such profound memories of him and loved him. Uncle Harry was always very kind to me and supportive when my mother and father passed away. Your mother and father are together now and they lovingly watch over you. With love always - your cousin Bob

Dear Sonja, Steve, Casey Dawn & Chris...you are in our thoughts, hearts & prayers. Uncle Harry was so important to our entire family. All the family visits, stories he loved to tell, and how he kept in contact with his sisters after our dad died & then his little sister Hazel. Every time we went to Springfield, we were welcomed .. and I can hear Lotte saying "Oh Casey!" to him. Love them!

Timeless Memories, Endless Love, That is what Uncle Harry has left us all to share. He will be truly missed and eternally loved.
Till we meet again Uncle Harry. I love you!
Janet Sue Riggen Bell

Sonja, Steve, Casey Dawn and Christopher: Words cannot express how much Uncle Harry meant to me and my family. We cherish the memories of his Kewanee visits, rides down memory lane, his endless stories that we never tired of, he & Lotte's wonderful hospitality at the Springfield house and all the very special times at the cabin. He may be gone but will live in our hearts forever! Love!!

Sonja and Family. My hearts hurts for you. My prayers are with you. Uncle Harry was an awesome man. I will truly miss him but I know he will be waiting for me in Heaven. I Love You.

I will always remember how he looked in on my father during the tough days following my mothers death. Family was always number one with Harry.
Give my mom & dad a big hug from me.
Your cousin Steve.

Just wanted to take a moment and say what a great man he was. I had the pleasure of meeting Harry thru Jason and Leanne Crabtree. Once you met him you never forgot him. Tara and my daughters just loved Harry. He treated my girls like family. I always looked forward to see Harry at hog days and sitting around the fire at night listening to his storys. He will be missed, God bless. Bob

A mighty good man just walked through those pearly gates! He will be missed by so many people! I suspect that there will be a large increase in the number of wildlife around Bull Shoals. Rest in Peace Cuz.

So sorry for you sonja
I will never forget how welcome youre father made me and my sisters.i look foreward to seeing him again.may God bless and comfort you.