After the death of his first wife, George E. Harper suddenly became a single father, struggling with his own emotions and that of his three young children. Having been ordained a minister, he took solace in his faith but at times had difficulty finding the support needed to deal with his loss.
“Because of his own experiences, George understood the needs of middle aged to older people who were on their own, whether because they were single by choice or had lost their mates through death or divorce,” said his wife of 14 years, Phyllis. “His heart went out to them, because he knew how lonely and hard it could be.”
Mr. Harper, 80, of Glen Ellyn, formerly of Wheaton, a retired editor for various publications whose ministry during his retirement helped many older adults, died from congestive heart failure Monday, Dec. 8, in Wynscape Healthcare Center in Wheaton.
Born and raised in Finlay, Ohio, Mr. Harper graduated from Bible Baptist Seminary in Johnson City, N.Y. Soon after, he became an ordained minister. In 1947, he received a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College, and went on to work as a publications editor for many years at The Pullman Co. in Gary, and US Gypsum and the American Institute of Steel Construction, both in Chicago.
Throughout those years, Mr. Harper edited both Christian and home-remodeling publications. He also worked for a while in commercial real estate for Continental Realty in Wheaton.
But it was during his retirement that family members said Mr. Harper found his true calling. Using his skills as an ordained minister, he performed interim pastoral services for several local churches and served at Christ Church of Oak Brook in the ministry to older adult singles.
“What he found most gratifying was helping older adults get through difficult periods in their lives,” his wife said. “After the death of my first husband, I was relatively young and back then there wasn’t much in the way of support systems for people like me.”
For several years, Mr. Harper volunteered with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department, doing odd jobs and helping them start an in-house publication. He also lent his skills to the DuPage Senior Citizens Council and the Small Business Association, teaching them how to create newsletters and other publications.
“He was always grateful to have been given the chance to use his God-given talents to help so many people in so many ways,” said his wife.
A Wheaton resident since 1960, Mr. Harper moved to Glen Ellyn three years ago and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Wheaton.
Other survivors include a son, David; two daughters, Rachael Ehlert and Marti Balkcom; a sister, Olivetta Johnson; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m., until the time of services, which begin at 11 a.m. Thursday in First Baptist Church of Wheaton, 1310 Main St., Wheaton.
