February 13, 1929 – September 29, 2021
Glen Harold Harper, 92, Noblesville, passed away on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at Harbour Manor Care Center in Noblesville. He was born on February 13, 1929 to Roy S. Harper and Helen Louise (Moffitt) Harper near Garfield, Ind.
Glen was the second of four children. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Marilyn Harper, in July 2021; a brother, James Robert (Jannette) Harper; and a sister, Mary Ann (Ralph) Caldwell.
Glen is survived by his sons, Alan (Becky) Harper of Flippin, Ark., and Neal (Nancy) Harper of Carrollton, Texas; daughters, Susan (Ed) Mayhall of The Woodlands, Texas, and Ann (Eric) Gerlach of West Lafayette, Ind.; a sister, Florence Wright; nine loving grandchildren, Jaysi (Ryan) Madigan, Abbey (Jason) Lamb, George (Sarah) Mayhall, Kimberly Mayhall (Jonathan Pottle), Sarah Meeks, Matt (Katy) Harper, Beth Harper, Tyler Gerlach, and Cody Gerlach (Chris Reagin); nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Glen attended schools in Montgomery County, graduating from Darlington High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 1947. He attended Butler University, graduating in 1951. While at Butler, Glen played basketball under Tony Hinkle, which launched his career as a basketball coach.
Glen proudly served his country in the Indiana National Guard for 10 years. He was married December 24, 1949 to Marilyn McClaskey. Glen taught a year in Princeton, Ind., and then in New Ross. He taught and coached four years where they won two sectionals and a regional. Also in 1955-56, the groups won the county baseball tourney, the county and sectional basketball tourney, and county track tourney, a very good senior class.
Glen moved to Noblesville in the fall of 1956. The teams won seven sectionals and two Kokomo regional championships. The 1957 team lost to State Champs, undefeated South Bend Central. Glen was named the Indiana Basketball Coach of the Year by the sportscasters and news writers for 1957.
He received a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Administration from Ball State University in 1960. Glen spent two years at Hagerstown (1971 to 1973), 15 years at Monticello, then returned to Noblesville in 1988 where he remained.
As a Noblesville resident, Glen was an almost 50-year member in First Christian Church where he was very active and served several positions. He was also a member of the Indiana Free Masons since 1951.
In 1989, Glen and Dave Locke formed a senior golfing group, the Over the Hill Gang, that in 2020 grew to 70 retirees. Glen had to give up golf in 2020.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at First Christian Church of Noblesville, 16377 Herriman Blvd., Noblesville, with Rev. Dr. Brooks Barrick officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Darlington, Ind.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church of Noblesville, 16377 Herriman Blvd., Noblesville, IN 46060.
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