Family, friends and colleagues of Bartholomew County’s first female County Commissioner are mourning the loss of Juanita Harden.

She died April 7th at her Bartholomew County home at the age of 84. Calling is from 4 to 8 today at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with services Thursday, April 13th,  at 11 a.m.

Harden served as a County Commissioner from 1982 – 1994. She helped design and establish the Bartholomew County flag, and served on the county planning commission. She was instrumental in establishing the Bartholomew County Juvenile Shelter.

Juanita had served on the Bartholomew County Fair Board and helped organize and chair the first pie baking contest at the Bartholomew County Fair, which she later helped judge. She was a longtime member of the Grandview Extension Homemakers Club.

She lived at, and co-managed, the Columbus Youth Camp for 22 years, along with managing the camp kitchen.

For more information, go to www.jewellrittman.com