Homer B. Harper

Homer Branson Harper, 86, of Blairsville, PA (Derry Twp) passed away on Saturday July 23, 2022 at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital, Latrobe, PA.

The son of Branson and Blanche (Mellott) Harper, he was born September 6, 1935 in Amaranth, Fulton Co., PA.

Mr. Harper worked as a truck driver and as a group header for Industrial Ceramics, Inc., Derry, 35 years, retiring in 1995.

He was a member and Past Exalted Ruler of Blairsville B.P.O.E. #406.

Mr. Harper was a kind and quiet man and was very proud of his large family. He loved sports especially football, crossword puzzles, walking and rides with his wife and dog.

Surviving is his wife of 34 ½ years, Beverly J. (Ditch) Harper whom he married April 29, 1988, four children, Candy Ross (Dave), Bret Harper (Chrissy), Rick Harper (Cherie) and Stan Harper (Laura), three stepchildren, Mary Beth Boyce (Ron), Lu Ann Knupp and Bob Buggey (Karen), nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and a step-granddaughter, Sarah Boyce.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Sharon Noga in 2021, a brother, Dalton Harper and two sisters, Carol Hill and Dorothy Vance.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 7:00 P.M. in the funeral home with Rev. Dawn Krishart officiating.

Interment will be in Saint Louis Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lucernemines, PA.

B.P.O.E. with have services in the funeral home on Wednesday at 6:30 P.M.

The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in memory of Homer Harper.