James E. Harper, 86, of Rochelle, IL, passed away on Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 at Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, IL. He was born on July 2, 1925 in Clinton, IN to James Henry and Ruth E. (Hastings) Harper and had 3 siblings: Jack and Joyce Harper and Joan Gubbins . During WWII, he served in the US Army in Germany. Jim married Edith Woodrick on May 8, 1949 in Rochelle. Previously, he was employed by Caron International and Swift and Co. He enjoyed
Bible studies, was an avid hunter, and loved to watch football, as well as gardening and lawn care, farming, and livestock. Jim coached Little League and also Junior Tackle.

Survivors include his wife: Edith of Rochelle; 5 children: Carolyn (Raymond) Voss of Rochelle.
Cathy Thomas of Rochelle, James Harper Jr. of Atlanta, GA, Laura (Dennis) Williams of Ashton
and Tim (Amy) Harper of Ashton; grandchildren: Donna, Terry, Matthew, Anne, Patrick , Spring, Ryan, Jerry, Melinda, Kyle, Daniel, Ryan, Jake, Josh, Allissa, Arin, Abby and Jasper; 27 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren.

Visitation at Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle on Saturday, Nov. 19th from 11:30 to 1:15 PM. Military Services will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at Lawnridge Cemetery by the Eastern Lee-Ogle Honor Guard. Memorials to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Ogle County Hospice.