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Luther Leslie Harper, 75, of Peoria, passed away at 10:35 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at home, with his family by his side.

 

He was born on December 8, 1934 in Sweetwater, TN, a son of Leonard and Rachel (Green) Harper. He married Wanda G. Creech on December 23, 1989 in McHenry County. She survives.

 

Luther is also survived by his children, Jimmie, Ginger, Luther, Jr., Pam, Patty, Tamara (Marshall) Gremard of California, Teresa Bailiff of California and Tonya (Patrick) Gomez of Wyoming; step-children, Drendalyn (Carl) Collett and Rodford (Penny) Shown, all of Kentucky; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Marie Cole of Peoria; and long-time friend, Leon Neltner of Peoria.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Elmer, Bill, Jake, Leonard Jr., Francis, Ed and Gene.

 

In 1997, Luther retired from HB Fuller Co. in Palatine, after fifteen years of service.

 

He loved Country music, especially George Jones; singing and pickin’; fishing; and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

 

Luther will be remembered as a genuinely good person, who was a flirt and a social butterfly. He never met a stranger.

 

A celebration of Luther’s life will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2010, in the first floor Community Room at Oak Woods Apartments, 740 West Joan Court, in Peoria.

 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home, 428 West McClure Avenue, in Peoria.


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Latest Memories
Gail Johnston
 

I have a lot of memories of my Uncle Luther, starting from listening to his music during my childhood throughout my life. I used to stay with Uncle Luther, Aunt Barb and the girls every summer.  They moved to California but that didn't stop me from visiting.  I would save my money all year and fly  to California in the summer.  One particular summer, my sister Sandy and my friends Val, Geneva and Kathy wanted to go too. I called Uncle Luther and Aunt Barb to tell them I wanted to come out but so did 4 other girls.  They just said pack up and come on!   We didn't need any more urging than that, so we packed.  I think about that now and realize there were 5 of us, 3 girls of his own and my Aunt Barb. He had nine girls in his house!!  He probably had a really hard time even getting to use the bathroom!  That was my Uncle Luther and I loved him very much.  I hope he has found the rest of our family where he has gone.  Until the day we meet again, he will forever be in my heart.  Uncle Luther, give my Dad, Steve, Granny, Rick and the rest of the family my love, they too are forever loved!

Tammy
 
I have so many fond memories of my dad.  I am so thankful for that.  At his memorial service I told the story about him giving me my first car when I turned 16.  How he picked me up in the rain in this 1974 Honda Civic and half way home he told me the car was mine.  How he got that car for me by doing roofing side jobs because he wanted me to have a car.  He was there when I graduated from high school.  He didn't cry (like my mom did) when my husband (Marshall) asked them if he could marry me.  He walked me down the isle when I got married.  He was there when my first child was born.  And he was there for me and my sisters when our mom passed away.  I will always remember his singing.  He had a beautiful voice.  He was the life of the party. And all those jokes.  How could he remember all of them???  I will remember his smile most of all.   
Sandy Cole Murray
 
Some of my fondest memories of Uncle Luther was his pickin the guitar and singing.  When I was younger, he was in a band called the "Hillbilly Rock Band" and played at "The GinMill".  He also got together with the other band members and they picked and sang at each others houses.  When I hear old songs by Jonny Cash, George Jones, and others it stirs these memories and brings me back to a very happy time and I'm just a child again.  I love it.  As he got older, he still sang his heart out.  He would get up and sing with a band or just kareoke.  He loved to kareoke and sing George Jones and I loved to listen to him. 
Latest Condolences
Hendrick Polanco My deepest condolences January 30, 2014
 

My deepest condolences.  May these few words from the Holy Scriptures bring you comfort in your time of grief...

John 11:32-45

32 And so Mary, when she arrived where Jesus was and caught sight of him, fell at his feet, saying to him: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping and the Jews that came with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and became troubled; 34 and he said: “Where have YOU laid him?” They said to him: “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus gave way to tears. 36 Therefore the Jews began to say: “See, what affection he used to have for him!” 37 But some of them said: “Was not this [man] that opened the eyes of the blind man able to prevent this one from dying?”

38 Hence Jesus, after groaning again within himself, came to the memorial tomb. It was, in fact, a cave, and a stone was lying against it.39 Jesus said: “TAKE the stone away.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to him: “Lord, by now he must smell, for it is four days.”40 Jesus said to her: “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Therefore they took the stone away. Now Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 True, I knew that you always hear me; but on account of the crowd standing around I spoke, in order that they might believe that you sent me forth.” 43 And when he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: “Laz´a·rus, come on out!” 44The [man] that had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his countenance was bound about with a cloth. Jesus said to them: “Loose him and let him go.”

45 Therefore many of the Jews that had come to Mary and that beheld what he did put faith in him;

Please go to the following link for more information regarding the Hope expressed in this passage

http://www.jw.org 

Gail Johnston niece April 10, 2010
 

My condolences go out to Tammy, Tracy and Tonya.  They are his three lovely daughters.  I know from losing my own father, what trials lie ahead for them.  The lonliness and yearning for their dad. I believe Luther is in a place now where he can watch over them for the rest of their lives.  Talk to him, for he will hear. 

My condolences also go out to my mother,  Uncle Luther was her last brother, her last family member.  She will come through because she is so very strong.  I also know from losing a brother how hard this will be for her.

Your memories will pull you through, you never get over it but you can learn to think of them and smile.  For this is truly what they want for you.

Until our turn to meet, in all who loved you, your memory will always shine and you will never be forgotten..  Love you, Uncle Luther

Diana Hampton You were always special. April 8, 2010
 

Luther always made me smile whenever I saw him.  He was a very special man with a warm and loving heart.  I met Skybow when I was a 7 years old and he has always held a special place in my heart and my life.  He had three beautiful daughters that he loved dearly and who will miss him until they see him again on the other side.  Love to all and know my heart and thoughts are with you.

 

Your adopted niece,

Diana Thomas Cole Hampton

Sandy Murray Niece April 5, 2010
 

My condolences go out to his three daughters, Tammy, Tracy, and Tonya along with my mother, his only sister, Marie, all his grandchildren, and any family/friends who had the pleasure to really know and love him.  He will be deeply missed by us all and our lives will be forever changed because he is gone. 

Uncle Luther, please say hello to Dad, Steve, Granny, Gene, and Bill along with the rest of our family.  I miss them all and hopefully one day I'll be with all of you again.

 

Luther's niece,

Sandy Cole Murray

boney u will be missed, but not forgotten. April 3, 2010
 
uncle luther,u knew how muched u r loved,but u are up in heaven now,u r probably having a lot of fun with steve,granny,joe.and all your brothers. but i love and am gonna miss u. but some day i will see u their.  love ya bunches melanie 
Quick Gallery
Luther wine tasting South Coast Winery Barbara, Tammy & Luther at Tammy's graduation 1980 Papa summer 2009 Luther  & Patrick Papa fishing at Diamond Valley Lake, California Uncle Luther, Mike at the SteelHorse Luther, Patrick, Peter Luther, Tonya, Alyssa Luther & Eddith Luther & Tonya Marshall & Luther Wanda & Luther Tracy & Tonya Jr, Mike, Granny Luther