Ronald L. Harper, 83, of Clearfield died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family.
Mr. Harper was born July 14, 1934, the son of Raymond H. and Eva L. (Moyers) Harper.
He was a life-long taxidermist who had learned from his father. He was an owner and employee of the former Clearfield Taxidermy.
Mr. Harper was affiliated with the St. John Lutheran Church of Clearfield. He was a past exalted ruler of the Clearfield Elks.
He was a former little league coach for Stratton Motors. He was also a pitcher for the Clearfield Old Town Softball League and an avid Pirates, Steelers and Penn State football fan.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara L. (Davis) Harper, to whom he was married March 5, 1954 in Williamsport and three children, Stephen L. Harper and his wife, Carol of Columbus, Ohio, Mary Beth Harper of Pittsburgh and Robert K. Harper and his wife, Vicki of Clearfield.
He is survived by eight grandchildren, Adrienne M. Donaldson (Doug), Jennifer Horgan (Jack), Barbara Jean Carlins, Alison Skaleski (Ryan), Laura Harper and Dylan, Jordan and Shane Harper, six great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Harper was the last member of his generation. He had been preceded in death by his parents, a brother, George D. Harper and a sister, Colene Bartell.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home Inc. of Clearfield with the Rev. Robert Way officiating. Burial will be in Crown Crest Memorial Park.
Friends will be received from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Monday and from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
The Clearfield BPOE Lodge No. 540 will conduct a memorial service at 6:15 p.m. Monday.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to American Diabetes Association, 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 602, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 or Clearfield Foundation for Health Hospice, P.O. Box 992, Clearfield, PA 16830 or St. John Lutheran Church, 217 E. Pine St., Clearfield, PA 16830.
To send online tributes, go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com.