Obituary of George W. Harp

Bedford-George Wilson “Buck” Harp, 86, of East Oolitic passed away at Garden Villa in Bedford on Friday evening, May 12 with his loving wife and family at his side.  Born in Martin County, he was the oldest child of Edgar Ward Harp and Mary May (Baker) Harp.

George served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and was discharged in 1953 after achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.  It was during his military service, on New Year’s Eve 1949, that he met Jane Helen Carlson on a blind date arranged by her brother.  The two were wed in Seguin, Texas on January 27, 1950.  George was later stationed in Georgia, where their first child was born; following his discharge, the young family returned to Indiana.

Buck and Jane raised their four children in Kirksville; later they moved to Williams and then to East Oolitic in their retirement.

George worked for the Sarkes Tarzian company, after which he turned to carpentry.  As a carpenter and millwright, he worked on many notable building projects in the Bloomington area, including the construction of IU’s Assembly Hall, Ballantine Hall, Metz Carillon, and Bloomington South High School. He worked for Weddle Brothers and F. A. Wilhelm, among other companies. He retired from the maintenance department of Central Foundry in 1993.

Buck attended the Englewood Baptist Church, and was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters,  Veterans of Foreign Wars, and General Motors Retirees.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 67 years, Jane Harp; daughters Peggy Hillenburg (Dennis) of Stanford and Terri Harp of East Oolitic; sons Don Harp (Richard Lewis) and Tim Harp of Bloomington; grandchildren Denise, Devin, Patrick, Cheyenna, and Hanna; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by one sister, Marie Medley; sisters-in-law Sara Harp, Linda Emory, and Geneva Wessel; and longtime friends Phillip and Maxine Blake.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Allen Harp, and sister Ruby Bray. 

George’s wishes were to be cremated. A memorial service will be held at the Day & Carter Mortuary in Bedford on Sunday, May 21st at 4:00 pm.  Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until the hour of service at Day & Carter Mortuary.  Graveside services will be held at a later date at Kentucky Ridge Cemetery in Greene County. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.daycarter.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW.