The Passing of Howard Harper
Monday, January 30, 2012
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Posted by: Adam Raschka
Howard R. Harper, 90, well-known Peshtigo funeral director and businessman, died on January 3, 2012, at Rennes Health Center East. Howard was born on May 22, 1921, in Peshtigo, to the late Howard B. and Alma (Feske) Harper.
Howard graduated from Peshtigo High School in 1939 and proudly served his country as a medic in the United States Army during World War II. His 38 month tour of duty took him to New Zealand and a number of South Pacific islands, including New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, New Guinea and thePhilippines. Howard earned four Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. Upon his return from the war he married for former Ila Greening on June 29, 1946, in Peshtigo; she survives. Howard's funeral service career had deep roots; his great-grandfather, grandfather, uncle and father were also funeral directors. His career in funeral service began at the age of 17 by assisting his uncle Willard Harper, a longtime Peshtigo funeral director. After serving his apprenticeship under his uncle, he attended the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in Milwaukee, graduating in 1941 and passing his Wisconsin Board examination in June of 1946. Howard practiced his profession both in Waupun and Wisconsin Rapids prior to returning to Peshtigo in 1954. In 1954 he became the owner and operator of Harper Funeral Home and Harper Furniture Mart, a firm established by his great-grandfather in 1877.
Howard's hard work and professional dedication were rewarded with almost immediate success. In 1985, ownership of the Harper Furniture Mart was assumed by Howard's daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Tom Sherwood. He retired from funeral service in 2003. Howard was an active and long-time member of the Peshtigo Chamber of Commerce, Peshtigo Lions Club, former Director at the Peshtigo National Bank, a board member of both the Peshtigo Industrial Development Corporation (PDIC) and the Peshtigo Downtown Development Corporation (PDDC). He also was a 65-year member of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, serving in a variety of offices. Howard was a life-long member of Zion Ev. Lutheran Church and served in many offices, including president. He was also a member of the Riverside Cemetery Board of Directors for over 50 years, served the City of Peshtigo on the Police Disciplinary Review Commission, was member of the Grange, and a fifty-year member of the Carlson-Alquire-Hoaglund American Legion Post #312. Howard was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed woodworking, wood carving, golf, bowling, and raising ostriches. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Ila; his daughters: Linda (Tom) Sherwood, Peshtigo, Terry (Ronald) Kohlhardt, Pleasanton, Calif., Patricia Alloy, Neenah and Jackie (Dennis) Staudenmaier, Marinette; and his sister, Shirley Walters. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Paul (Nancy) Sherwood, Rebecca (Tom) Jacoby, Matthew Sherwood, Sarah (Scott) Hatton, Chris (Mimi) Kohlhardt, Debra (Luke) Hennen, Tony (Kacie) Alloy, Robert (Krista) Alloy, Adam (Kim) Staudenmaier, along with 12 great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Sherwood, Andrew Sherwood, Margaret Jacoby, Alissa Jacoby, Henry Meinz-Sherwood, Lindsay Hatton, Madeline Hatton, Giuseppe Alloy, Gianna Alloy and Salvatore Alloy, Dominic Alloy, and Addisyn Staudenmaier. Howard was preceded in death by his three brothers and three sisters: Cecil Anderson, Glen Harper, Naomi Archambault, Allen Harper, Fern Race, and Robert "Mose" Harper.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2012, at ZION EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 221 South Ellis Avenue, Peshtigo, with Rev. Luke Myslik officiating. Friends may call directly at the church on Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of services. Military Honors will follow services at the church.
Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in Howard's name. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staffs of Heartland Hospice and Rennes Health Center East for their loving care.
Michael E. Keller, long-time family friend and colleague is serving the family (920-739-1231). |
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