Published in the Hamilton Journal-News on 7/25/2006.


HARBAUM, Willis H. "Will" Age 84 of Fairfield passed away Monday, July 24, 2006 at his residence. He was born July 26, 1921 in Hamilton, the son of Frank and Mary (Couthard) Harbaum. Will served his country during WWII in the US Army as a Medic. On August 4, 1945, Will married Glodene Estridge also in Hamilton. He was educated in Hamilton City Schools and then graduated from Miami University. Will then began his teaching career at Mason School. Throughout his career he taught at Roosevelt, George Washington, and retired from Taft in 1976. Other than educating others, he enjoyed keeping score for the Taft Tigers. Among his many contributions, Mr. Harbaum remained active in his community as a writer for the Journal News and Cincinnati Post, and as the Butler County Bee Inspector. Also, Will continued the tradition of the Butler County Bird Count his father began in 1940's. Being an avid outdoorsman, he has been recognized by the Metro Parks of Butler County for his dedication to wildlife by the naming of the Gilmore Ponds Interpretive Preserves Educational Wetland Area. Mr. Harbaum was a member of: Hamilton Teacher's Association (Past President); Retired Teacher's Association; Duck's Unlimited; Isaak Walton League; Outdoor Writer's Association of America; OX Bow Project; Midwest Travel Writer's Association; and many other educational and wildlife organizations. He is survived by his wife, Glodene Harbaum; children, Barry Harbaum and Dawana (Sam) Isgro; grandchildren, Craig Harbaum, April (Adrian Deon) Hutcherson, Jeff (Angie) Isgro and Megan Isgro; great-grandchildren, Dakota Harbaum, Adrian Deon Hutcherson, Jr., Jerimiah Hutcherson, and Jacob and Brady Isgro; brother, Kenneth Skip (Bev) Harbaum; sister-in-law, Jean Harbaum; and close friend, Woody Curlew. Will was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Don Harbaum. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday July 27, 2006 at the Avance Funeral Home & Crematory, 4976 Winton Rd., Fairfield with Jack Young officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Will Harbaum to Metro Parks of Butler County, 2051 Timberman Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013. Also, the family will accept condolences at www.avancefuneralhome.com.