COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Mark Alan Harper passed away on February 4, 2023, at the age of 93. Mark was born on January 6th, 1930, in Martinsville, Indiana to Elam Carroll Harper and Evelyn C. Harper. He, his brother, and his parents moved to Indianapolis to be closer to his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He remained in Indianapolis with his family even while attending Butler University.
His early educational years had a great impact and would stay with him the rest of his life. While at St. Roch Elementary he was fortunate to have Sister Mary Amelia as his teacher throughout. As an adult, he would stay in touch and name his only daughter, Mary, after her. He graduated from Indianapolis Cathedral High School in 1948. Mark stayed in touch with his classmates the rest of his life. He planned formal reunions and frequent casual meetings.
In 1953, Mark met the love of his life, Eleanor Ann Wilson (Annie) at a St. Vincent’s Hospital dance while she was a student nurse. Mark and Ann married on April 30, 1955, and had four children; Mike (Bobbi), Terry (Tracey), Steve (Renee) and Mary. Mark and Ann raised their children in Columbus, Indiana and had a wonderful marriage for over 67 years.
Family was the most important thing in his life. He lived his life to support his wife and children and was always willing to help his mother and his elderly aunts with whatever they needed.
Mark attended Butler University and Indiana University. His attendance at Butler University was interrupted for service to his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. He was a mechanic on the Mustang P51 aircraft and had a love for that plane and what it represents for the rest of his life. After military service, Mark returned to college, this time at Indiana University.
In 2007, Mark and Terry flew to Rickenbacker Field for the Gathering of Mustangs, the largest gathering of P51 Mustangs since WWII. Another big event of his life was his trip to Washington D.C. in 2019 with his daughter-in-law, Bobbi, as a guest of the Indy Honor Flight organization (Flight #31) honoring veterans of WWII and Korea.
In business, he was a successful executive in the electric power industry. He served as the CEO of the Bartholomew County REMC and later worked for National Rural Utilities CFC, working with power companies in the Midwest as they financed their expansion. He retired in 1995, but continued to do some consulting work into his early 70’s.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents; younger brother, David; and eldest son, Mike Harper.
Mark is survived by his wife, Ann; children, Terry (Tracey), Steve (Renee), Mary; and his daughter in law, Bobbi (Mike); grandchildren, Lauren Lummus (Reid), Geoffrey Harper (Andrea), Grant Harper and Shelby Blake (Jonathon); great-grandchildren, Harper and Greyson Lummus (Lauren and Reid) and Sam Harper (Geoff and Andrea).
Mark was extremely proud of his children and the lives they created for themselves. His family will remember him as being a selfless husband, father, and grandfather. He taught his children to be independent, hardworking, and honest. His work ethic and character as well as his sense of humor, especially Dad jokes, will be passed on to future generations of the Harper family.
Final arrangements are pending. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date to honor a wonderful man. Marks final resting place, after cremation, will be the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Madison, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation, in Mark’s honor, to the Indy Honor Flight www.indyhonorflight.org.
Condolences and special memories may be expressed to the family at barkesweaverglick.com.
