Eva Marie (Clark) Harkness was the daughter of Claude A. and Emma Louise (Swanson) Clark. She was the wife of Archie W. Harkness. Archie died December 1,1968. Eva was a Charter Member of "Forty Fellowship" at Williamsville United Methodist Church - a celebration honoring those who have been faithful members of the congregation for 40 consecutive years or more. She joined the church in 1936.

Rest in Peace Dear Friend Eva - Mary Jane and Cliff

Notes On Folks by Charles Murray
Methodist Messenger
Williamsville United Methodist Church
February 1982, Page 5, Col 2
Eva Harkness, age 83, is our distinguished parishioner this month. A life-long Methodist, she was born and raised in Randolph, NY, where she graduated from high school and the former Randolph Teachers Institute. She taught school in Onoville and then worked as a bookkeeper for the Randolph State Bank. In the meantime she married her childhood friend, Archie Harkness, who had graduated from Fredonia State Teachers College and was doing graduate work at Columbia University. Dr. and Mrs. Harkness moved to Williamsville when Dr. Harkness became superintendent--the superintendent who centralized the school district. Eva Harkness has held many offices at our church where she has belonged since 1936. She was president of the Women's Society for four years, taught Sunday School for untold years, worked on the bazaar since its inception, and helped plan and serve innumerable meals. For many years the Harknesses owned a home on Monroe Drive and later had an apartment at the Carriage House on Spring Street. Now widowed, Mrs. Harkness resides at the Blocher Home. Her family consists of daughter Elaine, married to Dr. Robert Fuller, a Williamsville dentist, with four children; and daughter Patricia, married to John Howland, a Sears regional manager, with one child, living in West Virginia. Eva Harkness thinks very highly of Williamsville United Methodist Church and appreciates her many regular visitors.

Methodist Messenger
Williamsville United Methodist Church
July/August 1982
Volume 32, No. 6
Page 4, Column 2
"FORTY FELLOWSHIP" CHARTER MEMBERS HONORED
by Mary Jane Haight-Eckert
A part of the worship service on May 23rd was to give recognition and pay tribute to those who have been members of our church for forty years or more. The sixteen people listed under the picture are the charter members of the "Forty Fellowship." The "Forty Fellowship" were greeted at the door with a corsage, nametag, and a special church bulletin with a bookmark. During the worship service they were presented with a United Methodist pin and charter member certificates. After the service a reception was held and pictures were taken. This special worship service was one small way by which we can say "We love you and we appreciate your abiding faithfulness." Truly the "faith of our fathers" is represented in these members and has kept United Methodism a living tradition. WE HOPE TO MAKE "FORTY FELLOWSHIP" A REGULAR PART Of HERITAGE SUNDAY EVERY YEAR.
MARY JANE HAIGHT-ECKERT - INITIATOR OF FORTY FELLOWSHIP would like to thank the Membership Committee for their encouragement and support. A special thank you to CLIFFORD A. ECKERT, Gretchen Hall, Mary El Minich, Robert Oehmler, Frank Swansfeger, Mary Jane Wind, Irene Williams and Lyn Wixom.

--Eva Harkness and Howard W. Post were two very special church friends of mine - they were the people that I "sounded out" about my "Forty Fellowship" project about a year before it came to fruition. They were whole-heartedly with me every step of the way! Rev. Peter R. Del Nagro, our Pastor, was most supportive also. It was during this conversation that we talked about needing and working towards an elevator for our church. The elevator "dream" came true a couple of years later and what an exciting Sunday morning it was when Eva (in her wheelchair) took the very "first ride" on the elevator!
Thank you Eva and Howard for your special friendship!
Mary Jane