John E. Harding, 83 of Dexter passed away at Samaritan Medical Center at midnight May 4, 2016. John was born August 4, 1932 in Watertown the son of Thomas and Evelyn Hubbard Harding. He graduated from Watertown High School and entered the U.S. Marine Corps on Nov. 18, 1950 and served during the Korean War until his discharge on Nov. 14, 1953. He married Eleanor L. McCormick on August 4, 1954 at Sacred Heart Church of Watertown by Fr. Benoit Dosti. The couple lived in Dexter all their married lives. John worked for the 1st Army as an equipment specialist at the Seneca Army Depot where he retired in 1987. He was a member of the VFW, a Life-member ofSmith- Savage Post 583 American Legion in Dexter, Korean War Veterans Assoc. of Watertown, and a former member of Dexter Fire Dept., former Scout Master Post 255 of Dexter, Ombudsman of Office of Aging, and River Rovers Camping Club. He is survived by his wife Eleanor, three sons and their spouses; Gary and Vera of Riverdale, Georgia, Blane and Sheila of Watertown, Noel and Michele of Queensberry, NY. He has 12 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. He has a brother Richard Harding in Buffalo, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter Patricia Harding Hodge in 2005 and a brother Warren. A funeral mass will be held Saturday May 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Brownville. Burial will follow in Dexter Cemetery with full military honors. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter. Donations are requested for Jocelyn Diabetes Clinic 32292 Genesee St. Syracuse, N.Y. 13202. Online condolences to dexterfuneralhome.com