Obituary: Thomas Eugene 'Gene' Harper
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Thomas Eugene "Gene" Harper, 93, of Morton, passed away on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at his stepdaughter's residence.
He was born on Oct. 26, 1918, in Norris City, to the late Harry and Nora (Johnson) Harper. On May 27, 1978, he married Kathern Dinkins and she preceded him in death on Dec. 3, 2010.
Gene served in the Army as a Corporal in the Medical Corps during World War II.
Gene was owner/operator of Harper's Auto body in Rome. He retired in 1983 after 15 years and moved to Aster, Fla. After 21 years he moved back to his step-daughter's because of his wife's health. He enjoyed dancing, collecting marbles, and watching wrestling on TV. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, yard work and growing roses.
Surviving family members include two stepdaughters, Katie Westlake and husband Jim, with whom he made his home in Morton, and Joyce Little and husband Gary of Scottsdale, Ariz.; six stepgrandchildren; and 17 great-stepgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four sisters and three brothers.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. Rev. Dewayne Taylor will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery with military rites by the Harrisburg American Legion, VFW and National Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Vitas Hospice Care; 5019 N. Executive Dr. Peoria, Ill. 61614. Envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through the obituary page at the Internet site www.reedfuneralchapel.com.