ISHPEMING, MI - Ralph Harper, age 90, lifelong resident of Ishpeming, passed away on Saturday July 1, 2017 at the D. J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where he resided since July, 2016.

Born in Ishpeming on January 30, 1927 to the late Stonewall and Goldie (Vial) Harper, Ralph proudly served his country in the U. S. Army for two and a half years during WW II; two of those years in Italy, being honorably discharged with rank of sergeant.  He graduated Ishpeming High School 2000 Veteran Class.

Having started to work part time for Cohodas Brothers Produce in Ishpeming at age fourteen, Ralph returned from his military service to work full time at the firm where he remained employed for more than forty-seven years until the business closed in 1985.   Ralph delivered produce from one end of the U. P. to the other, including K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base, one of the company's largest accounts.

Ralph was awarded a certificate of commendation in 1993 by Overdrive (The Magazine of the American Trucker) for driving over two million miles without an accident or ticket.  Ralph was a member of the Teamsters Union Local 328 and served as union steward at Cohodas Brothers for twenty one years and achieved the positions of warehouse foreman and eventually branch manager until the business closed.  He then worked for Harris Funeral Home for two years and later for Tasson Distributing Company until he retired at age sixty five after which he worked part time for Symons Wholesale.

Mr. Harper was a member of Grace Episcopal Church.  He and his beloved Carolyne volunteered countless hours for over twenty-five years at the Ishpeming Salvation Army where he also served on the Army Advisory Board for ten years.

Survivors include two daughters, Carol (Ron) Stewart of Gresham OR and Cathy Wilson of Sherwood, OR; three granddaughters, Jeanette Wilson, Lisa Renee Stewart and Rachel Lynn Stewart and estranged wife Marjorie (Polkinghorne) Harper all of Oregon and his beloved canine companion "Ringo".  He is also survived by his lifelong friend Elizabeth "Sis" Coron and Doug Coron, his caregiver and patient advocate.  He was predeceased by his parents, his life partner of forty-nine years Carolyne Gulas, and a sister Goldie Jane Toivonen.

Ralph was tremendously grateful for the care he received at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette where his unique and ever-present sense of humor prevailed, inspiring and endearing him to fellow residents and all staff who tended to his needs.

A private funeral service will be held at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home.  Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Interment will take place in the Ishpeming cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, Ralph's wish was to have donations made to the Ishpeming Salvation Army in his memory.

Ralph's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.