Born Oct. 31, 1931, in the Goodhope community Eldon Arlif Harper, 73, of Ava, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005, in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Mo. Eldon was born Oct. 31, 1931, in the Goodhope community, the son of Irvin Taylor and Lottie Delora (Hord) Harper.
Eldon was employed at Heath and Son Feed Supply in Ava for 27 years and also worked for Iowa Steel and Iron Workers for 12 years in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During 1952 to 1954, Eldon proudly served his country with the United States Army and was a member of the Ava General Baptist Church of Ava. He also enjoyed fishing, playing card and pool games at the Ava Senior Center and was very competitive at playing dice.
Eldon was preceded in death by his wife Helen; his parents; and one brother, Wilburn Harper.
He is survived by three sisters, Freda Cole, Pierce City, Mo., Goldie Scott and husband, Bruce, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Joyce Harper of Goodhope; three brothers, Bill Harper, of Goodhope, Wayne Harper and wife, Joyce, of Goodhope, and Don Harper and wife, Marty, of Anamosa, Iowa; a special friend, Barbara Magoon, of Ava; many nieces, nephews and caring friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. in Barnes Funeral Home, Ava, with Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by Ava American Legion Post #112 and V.F.W. Post #5593 will follow in the Ava Cemetery.
Family time and visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, in the funeral home.
Memorial donations in Eldon’s memory may be made to the Meals on Wheels program provided by the Ava Senior Center.
