HERKIMER-ILION - John T. Harter, age 53, of 537 Prescott St., Herkimer, formerly of Ilion, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 24, 2012, at Little Falls Hospital. He was born on June 30, 1958 in Spokane, Washington, the son of Franklin L. B. and Florence (Zember) Harter. John graduated from Mohawk High School and Herkimer Co. Community College and was named in the Who's Who of college students. He also graduated from SUNY in Health Service Management and was on the Dean's list. John was also a veteran, serving with the US Marines. On November 30, 1991, he was married to Charlynne (Wheeler) Charles at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Ilion. At one time, John worked at Remington Arms Co. He later was employed at the Utica Cerebral Palsy. Most recently, he worked on the assembly line at Beechnut Co., Amsterdam, NY. John was a former member of the Ilion Moose Lodge, Utica Shriners and Sons of the American Legion, Mohawk. Survivors include his wife, Charlynne; his mother, Florence Harter, of Mohawk; his children, James Charles and wife, Roberta, of Mohawk, and Gene Charles, Of Louisville, Kentucky; six grandchildren, Gene, Sarah and Amanda Charles, and Stefani, Jon and Maggie Charles; his sisters, Pamela Smith and her husband, Charles, of Mohawk, and Sandra Clark and special friend, Randy Swartout, of Sherburne; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by his father, Frank; his special niece, Angela Zeigler; and his brothers-in-law, Martin Huyck and Charles Wheeler, Jr. Funeral services will be held 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion (old main St. between Ilion and Frankfort), and 10:00 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church, E. Main St., Mohawk, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Mark Cunningham, Sacramental Minister, assisted by Sister Mary Jo Tallman, Parish Life Director. Burial will be at North Columbia Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday, May 29, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home. Anyone wishing to share a memory of John, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet. In Lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Assoc. or American Diabetes Assoc. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. John's wife, Charlynne, and his mother, Florence, and their family have entrusted all funeral and burial arrangements and supervision to their friend and family Funeral Director, Don Applegate.