Harper II, Terry D.

Terry D. Harper II

5/13/1949 - 1/26/ 2012

Terry Deuel Harper II, 62, of Mishawaka, Ind., passed away Thursday morning, Jan. 26, 2012, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. Services will be held 7 p.m. Monday at New Life Church, 11593 McKinley Hwy, Osceola, Ind., with Pastors Michael L. Cramer and David Stauffer officiating. Cremation will follow, with burial at a later date in Ottumwa (Iowa) Cemetery. Friends may spend time with Terry's family from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church.

Terry was born May 13, 1949, in Ottumwa, Iowa, a son of Terry D. and VaDonna (Leedom) Harper. He grew up in Cedar Rapids, where he graduated from Washington High School in 1968. Terry played college football at the University of Iowa, earning All-American honors. He graduated in 1974, with a degree in business and served as vice president of Lamba Chi fraternity. In the 1970 Winter Olympics, Terry qualified as an alternate for the USA Speed Skating Team.

On Aug. 28, 1971, in Akron, Ohio, Terry married Judy Widener. The Harpers moved to Mishawaka in 1982.

Terry was employed 15 years with Uniroyal and later worked for the University of Notre Dame. He attended New Life Church in Osceola, Ind.

Terry's memberships included American Legion Post 161 in Mishawaka, Penn High School Wrestling Club, Ducks Unlimited and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Animal Rescue. He enjoyed hunting fowl. Terry enjoyed working with his hands. He was a great handyman, remodeling homes and building decks.

Helping others brought great joy to Terry. His family was the center of his life and he was especially fond of his grandchildren.

Terry's surviving family includes his wife, Judy; two sons, Terry Chadwick Deuel Harper III, Captain USMC, and his wife, Danielle, of Albany, Ga., and Bradley Scott Harper and his wife, Christina, of Osceola, Ind.; one brother, Randy Harper of Vermillion, S.D.; one sister, Penny Parmelee and her husband, Robert, of Charlevoix, Mich.; and four grandchildren, Jeffrey, Aubrey, Wesley and Brady Harper.

Terry was preceded in death by an infant son, Jeffrey Nicholas Harper; and his parents.

Terry's family suggests memorial contributions be directed to New Life Church.

An online guest book, with the ability to share condolences and memories with Terry's family, is available at .

Arrangements are in the care of Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. Third St., Mishawaka, Ind.

Published Jan. 29, 2012, in The Gazette