John Harper

HARPER, JOHN WILLIAM "BILL" born January 14, 1925, passed away September 11, 2013. Mr. Harper was born in Primrose, NE. He is preceded in death by his parents, Henrietta and John Harper and great grandson Owen Michael Backer. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth June Harper (nee Manning); daughters Jan (Joe) Berchelmann; Deborah (Ted) Ball; and Patricia (Dennis) Cross; sister Helen Miano; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. While in high school, Bill began his 40-year career with F.W. Woolworth's Company as a stockboy. There he met his future wife, June, who worked behind the notions counter. Bill was a loyal employee throughout his career, retiring in 1982 as the company's regional vice president. Bill's pride and joy was his extended family. He loved having his grandchildren over to swim in the pool each summer. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served in the Pacific during WWII, a member of St. Lucas United Church of Christ, and a longtime volunteer at St. Anthony's Medical Center. In 2005, at the age of 80, Bill met his biological family for the first time and visited the Child Saving Institute in Omaha, NE., where he was put up for adoption as an infant. During this visit, he realized there is a great need to provide children small comforts during times of crisis. Along with his family, Bill founded The Primrose Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children living in agency settings. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations please be made to The Primrose Foundation, 9051 Watson Road, #270 • Saint Louis, MO 63126 ; or Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc., 402 Jackson Street, Saint Charles, MO 63301. Bill instate at St. Lucas U.C.C. 11735 Denny Rd., (63126) on Monday 10:00am until time of service at 11:00am Interment: St. Lucas Cemetery with military honors. A service of JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS 314-352-2600 September 16, 2013
10:00 am - 11:00 am
St. Lucas United Church of Christ
11735 Denny Road, St. Louis, MO 63126
September 16, 2013
11:00 am - 11:45 am
St. Lucas United Church of Christ
11735 Denny Rd., St. Louis, MO 63126