Dale Lee Harper, 85, of Riverton passed away at his home on April 15, 2025, following an extended illness.
He was born on Jan. 29, 1940, in Simoda, the son of the late J. Paul Harper and Mary (Adams) Vandevander.
Mr. Harper graduated in 1958 from Circleville High School and was a member of the North Fork Baptist Church.
After graduation, he drove a dairy truck delivering milk for Hartzler Dairy Farms before moving to Beltsville, Maryland, and working at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
After marriage, he and his wife moved back to West Virginia where he was employed by Howes Leather Company in Bartow and later attended the West Virginia State Police Academy while employed at Huttonsville Correctional Center. He transitioned from there to driving a school bus for the Pendleton County Board of Education where he enjoyed the day-to-day interactions with the students until his retirement in 2002. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
On April 17, 1965, he married Shirley M. (Mallow) Harper, who survives.
In addition to his wife, he leaves behind to cherish his memory a daughter, Sandra Waldron (Randy) of Petersburg; a son, Mark Harper (Tammy) of Petersburg; two sisters, Kay Newbrough (Freddie) of Shinnston and Jo Ann Gilardi (Mike) of Bartow; five brothers, William Vandevander (MaryAnn) of Durbin, Daniel Vandevander and David Vandevander (Donna), all of Bartow, Dallas Vandevander (Becky) of Green Bank and Douglas Vandevander (Amy) of Thornwood; a brother-in-law, Fred Grear; and four grandchildren, Kelsey Longbon (Dalton), Kensey Harper, Alex and Adrianna Waldren.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Judy Grear.
Funeral services were held April 17 in the chapel of the Basagic Funeral Home in Petersburg with Rev. Mike Clements officiating. Interment was at the North Fork Memorial Cemetery in Riverton.
Memorials may be made to the North Fork Baptist Church, PO Box 46, Riverton, WV 26814.
Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com or on Facebook at Basagic Funeral Home.
