Son of Howard and Helen Harper Robert E Harper, 78, Squires, died peacefully April 6 at Cox South, Springfield. He had fought an 11-year battle with cancer.
Born Dec. 30, 1927, in Fort Wayne, Ind., to Howard and Helen Harper, he was a top car salesman in Fort Wayne for many years, retiring in 1992. He was a self-taught master wood craftsman, a hobby he started and enjoyed throughout his retirement years.
His wife, Geraldine, preceded him in death in 1995.
In 1999 he moved to Arizona with his daughter and her family. In 2004 he relocated with them to Squires. He loved country gospel music and his dog, Buddie.
He leaves behind daughter, Myra Huff, and her husband, David, and grandson Scott Huff, all of Squires; granddaughter, Michele Hull-Lortie, and her family, of Columbia City, Ind.; daughter Janice Ashby and her husband, Dan, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; grandson, Ben Ashby and granddaughter, Jennifer Ashby, all of Fort Wayne, Ind.; daughters, Sharon Blakely and family of Arizona, and Julie Parker and family of Indiana; sons, John Harper and family of Indiana and Robert D. Harper and sons of Arizona; a sister, Norma Blough, of Indiana.
He also leaves his two best friends, Billy Harris and Ron Bailey, both of Fort Wayne, Ind.; as well as numerous other family and friends.
He was loved by many and will be missed by all.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Fort Wayne, Ind.
