Beatrice Harper

Beatrice “Bea” M. Harper, age 96 of Battle Creek, passed away Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at the home of her daughter Diane and Dave Bush with her family at her side. Bea was born September 10, 1924 in Battle Creek, Michigan the daughter of Marion C. and Cora Mae (Hart) Bishop. She attended schools in Battle Creek and Lakeview. In 1943 Bea married Floyd (Bud) VanDorsten. She later married Richard “Dick” Harper on July 13, 1960 and they celebrated their 50 ^th Anniversary in 2010. She and Dick enjoyed traveling in their R.V. with special friends, but most of all she loved being with her children and grandchildren and family gatherings. She enjoyed reading and keeping in close contact with her siblings, special friends, and relatives. She had worked at Millers Apparel as cashier and later as a manager and worked at L.W. Robinsons in the credit department and later in lingerie as clerical to the manager. She retired in 1981. Bea was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard Harper in 2011, two brothers: Del and Gordon Bishop, son in law Larry Radcliff and a special nephew Larry Bishop. Bea is survived by three daughters: Judy Radcliff, Diane (Dave) Bush and Jan (David) Weir; son Brad (Esther) Harper; grandchildren: Troy (Sandy) Radcliff, Trevor Radcliff, Chad (Holly) Munn, Todd (Jennifer) Munn, Miki Castanier, Cricket (John) Alexander, Tia (Christopher) Chovinard, Kristen (Jeremiah) Padgett, Richard (Shannon) Harper, Ray (Tina) Bush and Melissa Forsythe; great grandchildren: Alex (Jason) Flanders, Taylor (Cory) Roberts, Scott Markley; Haydn, Cade and Eli Munn, William Sherlin, Elizabeth Nault, Travis and Tyler Bush, Autumn Bush, Beyonca Young; great great grandchildren: Riley, Aubrey and Cody Flanders, Sarah Nault, Sophia Roberts; Scott, Jr., Silas and Sully Markley, William Harper and John and Alana Padgett; two sisters: Charlotte VanDenburg and Donna Hoxie; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Monday, April 12 ^th at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.  In accordance with the current State of Michigan guidelines, masks are required in the funeral home and social distancing is to be observed. A private family service will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the funeral home and may be viewed via livestream on Bea’s obituary page at www.henryfuneralhome.org Interment will follow the service at Fort Custer National Cemetery. The family would like to especially thank In Home Companions for the wonderful care they gave to their mother.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association.