Diana Mance Harper

Diana M. Harper, 89, of Benton Harbor, MI passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, MI.  A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI with Reverend Barbara Wilson officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM before the service.  A private burial will take place at a later date.  Memorials may be made in Diana’s name to the Box Factory for the Arts 1101 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI  49085.  Those wishing to share a memory of Diana may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Diana was born in Chicago, IL on September 25, 1926 to the late Arthur and Viola (Jones) Logan. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Western Michigan University in 1949. On July 31, 1949 she married Robert S. Harper in Covert, MI. Together they raised four children – Robin, Jan, Chris and Brett.  Diana was a homemaker and substitute teacher for North Shore School system.  She served as President of the Krasl Art Center from 1993-1994 and the Singing Sands Girl Scout Council.  She also served on the boards of the Berrien County Human Rights Commission, Benton Township Housing Authority and Planned Parenthood, Berrien County, MI.  Diana drove patients from Berrien County to Kalamazoo for dialysis when no local dialysis treatment option was available.  These accomplishments represent only the pinnacle of Diana’s service to the community, which included countless hours of selfless volunteerism.  If there is one phrase to epitomize her life, it is “Leave this place a little better than you found it.”  Diana is survived by her children – Robin Porter of Columbia, SC, Jan (Pam) Harper of Benton Harbor, MI, Chris (Bobbi) Harper of Hudson, FL and Brett Harper of Benton Harbor, MI; three grandchildren – Shani Davis of Colombia, SC, Dimitri Manick of Atlanta, GA and Paige Harper of Anchorage, AK and seven great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband of 58 years, Robert (2008).