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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Evelyn Joyce Harper
Evelyn Joyce
Harper
March 24, 1932 – July 7, 2025
Evelyn Joyce Harper's Obituary
Evelyn Joyce (Allen) Harper of Pearl Lake passed away on July 7, 2025 at the age of 93.
Evelyn was born on March 24, 1932 in Distant, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Boyd and Annie (Slagle) Allen. She graduated second in her class from New Bethlehem High School in 1950. After graduating with a bachelor's degree from Anderson College (now Anderson University) in Indiana, she began a teaching career in the metro Detroit area. While teaching, she earned a master's degree in guidance and counselling from Wayne State University.
On June 27, 1962, Evelyn married Barry Richard Harper and continued teaching school until the birth of their children. Later, she became a real estate agent and sold homes with Real Estate One for 15 years in Rochester, Michigan. In 1995, she and Barry both retired and built a house on beautiful Pearl Lake near Traverse City, Michigan.
Music was an important part of Evelyn's life. During college, she sang in a trio that traveled the United States as ambassadors for Anderson. After college, she joined Sweet Adelines, a four-part a cappella organization, and sang baritone with choruses in the Detroit area and northern Michigan for a total of 27 years. The highlight of her Sweet Adelines experience came in 2017 when her chorus competed in the International Level in Las Vegas.
At the age of 75, Evelyn discovered a hidden talent and new obsession when she accidently wrote a book. Over the next decade, she followed it with 11 more published books, many of which were mysteries set in northern Michigan.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Jill Hilburn, son, Thomas Harper, step-daughter, Judith Wishin, and loving grandchildren, Joseph, Kiersten, Emma, Hannah, and Logan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barry (2021), her parents, her brother, Fred Allen, and her sisters, Ruby Shreckengost and Norma Butgereit.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations, in Evelyn's name, to the Alzheimer's Association or the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
You may share memories and condolences on Evelyn's tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
Evelyn was born on March 24, 1932 in Distant, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Boyd and Annie (Slagle) Allen. She graduated second in her class from New Bethlehem High School in 1950. After graduating with a bachelor's degree from Anderson College (now Anderson University) in Indiana, she began a teaching career in the metro Detroit area. While teaching, she earned a master's degree in guidance and counselling from Wayne State University.
On June 27, 1962, Evelyn married Barry Richard Harper and continued teaching school until the birth of their children. Later, she became a real estate agent and sold homes with Real Estate One for 15 years in Rochester, Michigan. In 1995, she and Barry both retired and built a house on beautiful Pearl Lake near Traverse City, Michigan.
Music was an important part of Evelyn's life. During college, she sang in a trio that traveled the United States as ambassadors for Anderson. After college, she joined Sweet Adelines, a four-part a cappella organization, and sang baritone with choruses in the Detroit area and northern Michigan for a total of 27 years. The highlight of her Sweet Adelines experience came in 2017 when her chorus competed in the International Level in Las Vegas.
At the age of 75, Evelyn discovered a hidden talent and new obsession when she accidently wrote a book. Over the next decade, she followed it with 11 more published books, many of which were mysteries set in northern Michigan.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Jill Hilburn, son, Thomas Harper, step-daughter, Judith Wishin, and loving grandchildren, Joseph, Kiersten, Emma, Hannah, and Logan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barry (2021), her parents, her brother, Fred Allen, and her sisters, Ruby Shreckengost and Norma Butgereit.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations, in Evelyn's name, to the Alzheimer's Association or the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
You may share memories and condolences on Evelyn's tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
To order memorial trees in memory of Evelyn Joyce Harper, please visit our tree store.
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