Donald "Don" Arthur Harper, 92, of Steelville, MO passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2009 in St. Louis, MO. He was born in Oby, Missouri on August 21, 1916 to Oscar and Ida (Slowensky) Harper. On January 24, 1942 in Potosi, MO, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Leona Adams who preceded him in death on December 22, 2004.

As a young boy, Donald was baptized at the Huzzah Baptist Church.

When Dorothy was living, they would go together to the community center to listen to bluegrass music and hear Dorothy sing and play the guitar.

Donald always enjoyed farming and when he finally retired he continued to enjoy the outdoors by gardening.

In his past time, Donald loved to play checkers with his buddy, Paul Hogan and other friends. You could also find him playing Pinochle or Aggravation.

When someone would ask Donald, "how are you doing?" He would reply, "nothing that a little duct tape wouldn't fix."

He will be sadly missed by his two sons, Charles Harper and wife Donna of Steelville, MO and Lonnie Harper and wife Jean of Sullivan, MO; one daughter, Linda Pope and husband Ed of Steelville, MO; seven grandchildren, Regina (Tom) Slovensky, Rita (Joe) Eaton, Stephen (Tammy) Harper, Jason (Becky) Harper, Dustin (Sheilah) Harper, Robin (Ken) Kerley and Donald (Kara) Garms; three step-grandchildren, Mike (Carol) Davis, Becky (Chad) Barton and Erin (Rob) Harmon; eighteen great-grandchildren Andrew (Astryd), Cyrus, Seth, Matthias Slovensky, Hannah, Hope Eaton, Jonathan, Bethany, Ethan and Nathaniel Harper, Danielle, Jonathan and Evie Harper, Kayla Harper, Josh, Derek and Aaron Harper and Sage Garms; seven step-great-grandchildren, Dusty Davis, Scott, Crystal, Jonathan and Amber Barton, Shantel and Dalton Harmon; two great-great-grandchildren, Alexander and Anthony Slovensky; three sisters-in-law, Betty Hogan and husband Bob of Fenton, MO, Pauline Garrison and husband Orville of Joplin, MO and Rachel Adams of Steelville, MO; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy, a daughter, Donna Lee Harper, a daughter-in-law,Barbara Sue Harper,one great-great-grandson, Simon Slovensky, five brothers, Thomas A. (Jeannette) Harper, Harry (Gladine) Harper, Rev. W. K. (Orpha) Harper, Herbert (Nora) Harper, and Arvel Harper; two sisters, Myrtle (William) Campbell and Hallie (Ed) Gray; sisters-in-law, Mildred Schoen and Ilean Adams and brother-in-law, Charles Adams.

Visitation was from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Dr. Richard Williams and Rev. Eric Williams officiating.  Special music of "Go Rest High" and "I Want Us To Be Together in Heaven" were sung by Stephanie Pyatt (pianist), Debbie Shasserre (guitarist) and grand-daughter, Rita Eaton. An instrumental selection of "Amazing Grace" was played by great-grandsons, Cyrus Slovensky on violin and Matthias Slovensky on guitar.

Honored as casket bearers were great-grandsons, Andrew Slovensky, Cyrus Slovensky, Seth Slovensky, Matthias Slovensky, Jonathan Harper, Joshua Harper, Derek Harper and Aaron Kerley.

Committal prayer and burial were in the Steelville Cemetery.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri.

Memorials may be made to the Golden Echoes c/o Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 457, Steelville, MO  65565.