Helen Harper (née Moon), age 98, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rev. Hadley P. Harper; infant son, Eric J. Harper; parents, Ellsworth G. and O. Hope Moon; and brothers, Bryden, Kyle, and Walter Moon.
Helen is lovingly remembered by her children, Dr. Paul E. Harper and Melinda J. (Jeff) Brubaker; granddaughters, Megan (Christian) Mack and Kylee Brubaker; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews scattered across the country.
Helen graduated from Oakland High School in 1945. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Indianapolis in 1950 and later received her Master’s degree from Yale Divinity School in 1960.
A devoted educator, church leader, and community servant, Helen dedicated much of her life to ministry and Christian education serving in a variety of roles before becoming the denominational Director of Children’s Work for the Evangelical United Brethren Church (now the United Methodist Church) in Indianapolis, IN and later in Dayton, Ohio. Following her marriage to Rev. Hadley Harper in 1965, she faithfully served alongside her husband in campus ministry and in pastorates during their time in Pennsylvania and Ohio until his passing in 1995.
Throughout her life, Helen remained deeply involved in her church and community. She was an active member of Brighton Presbyterian Church, the Muskingum Valley Presbytery, the American Association of University Women and most recently the Church of the Servant. In recognition of her many years of service and community involvement, she received the Muskingum Y’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Since 2021, Helen had been a resident of Sentinel Pointe in Grand Rapids, where she enjoyed the companionship and care of both residents and staff.
Helen’s life was marked by faith, service, education, and a deep commitment to helping others. She leaves behind a lasting legacy of compassion, leadership, and love that will be treasured by all who knew her.
Memorial services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Church of the Servant, 3835 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546, with Rev. Benjamin J. Videtich officiating and Minister of Worship Maria Stapert-Vander Berg. Helen enjoyed bright colors, so please come dressed in your favorite bright colors to celebrate her. Memorial contributions in Helen’s honor can be directed towards Church of the Servant or Brighton Presbyterian Church, 771 Lexington Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701.
9 Responses
Sorry for your and your family’s loss Melinda. May she rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sending you love and comfort. My her memory be a blessing.
What an amazing lady, and a remarkable life.🕊
Sincerest Sympathy to you Melinda, and your entire family ❤️
All our thoughts and prayers
Love, Paula and Mark
What a beautiful lady and a beautiful friend! Helen was my neighbor and we shared almost daily visits. She came to our house for all the OSU football games, we’d sit on her porch talking about any and everything. And we laughed!!! she loved our dog Cooper and he loved her. I have so many wonderful memories of her and will cherish them the rest of my life. I’m sure you’re happy seeing Hadley. I’d say rest in peace , my friend…. But I’m sure you’re finding things that need “fixed”! Forever love, dear Helen.
Helen was truly a lovely person, in every aspect of the word lovely. She will be greatly missed by a large group of friends in the Zanesville area. She serves as an inspiration to all of us.
Amy and Carl Underwood
Kay and I knew Hadley Harper in New Brunswick, NJ where he was a campus minister at Rutgers Univesity. Soon he married, Helen, and was very happy. So happy — to told a little story on himself. One day he told Helen yet again how happy he was. She suggested that he change is name badge to “Hardly Happier.” I invested them to dinner at my parents’ little farm 25 miles from New Brunswick. My parents were also midwesterners, and they became good friends. After my parents retired to Ryegate, VT, Hadly & Helen visited — and located a rustic cabin they could rent on a pond in Groton State Forest. They rented there for a number of years, and would visit my parents, Robert & Isabel Shields — and were able to join in their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Later Kay and our kids (who are in the same age pod as Paul & Melinda) visited them in Rimersburg. Our last in person visit was in Zanesville when we made our annual pilgrimage to Troy, Ohio, to visit Kay’s parents. But Helen was so talented a Christmas Letter correspondent, we never felt totally separated. We miss Helen.
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Sweet sweet Helen, Sorry that it took me so long to reply. My heart is so broken to know I will never hear your voice again or see your beautiful face. My family & I are truly blessed to have been a small part of your world. You have been there to listen at some of the darkest times in my life & help me get through them. You have been my kids Sunday School teacher & taught them about Jesus in their younger years, and for that I will be forever grateful . Definitely one of the smartest people I will ever know. Thank you my sweet friend, You will be forever missed.
Sarah Moon to our Helen.
You were such a beautiful light in this world, and even at 98, that light never dimmed. You carried a spirit, strength, and passion for life that touched everyone around you. You were truly extraordinary — smart, strong, graceful, and full of a gentle love and joy that made people feel seen and cared for.
I feel so deeply blessed to have known you and to have experienced your warmth, your laughter, and your incredible zest for life. You were the kind of woman people admire and never forget — a true pioneer in every sense, and an example of how to live with both strength and heart.
More than anything, I will always be grateful for the love and bond you gave to my father. The joy, companionship, and deep human connection you brought into his life were gifts beyond measure. Thank you for being such a steady light for him and for showing him the true meaning of family love and connection.
You will be missed more than words can say, and loved always.
Love Always, Sarah
I was a student at Rutgers and was with them the day Eric was born. There was a terrible snow storm and I had borrowed your dad’s Corvair to go to a leadership event in Harrisburg. They had to worry about our lives even as Eric entered the world. Helen and Hadley encouraged me to go to seminary and Hadley spoke at my ordination. They also attended Kathy and my wedding, as well as Kathy’s funeral service. So, they were closely connected to me. My wife Barbara and I visited in Zanesville a few times as we journeyed back to New Jersey. I always looked forward to our Christmas letter exchange and will surely miss her letters and Helen. With more than 50 years as a pastor, Helen was always there. I will miss her – her joy, her enthusiasm, her friendship and her love. Paul and Melinda, I wish you comfort in your grief as God enfolds you with presence and Peace, Alex Wales