ROCHELLE — Danny Ray Harper, 75, unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday, July 27.

Danny was born to Meredith and Willie (Bates) Harper on Feb. 4, 1946 in Rochelle. Danny married Kathy Fenwick on Dec. 2, 1977. They had three children: Brian (Katie) Harper, Sarah (Trevor) Hogan, and Jason (Eryn) Harper.

He was proud to be known as Pops to his eight grandbabies - Harper, Madeline, Sophie, Avery, Conrad, Jed, Isaiah, and Grady.

Dan’s faith in God was unwavering. He was a man deeply committed to his family. He spent much of his time at his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events where his competitive spirit came out with his hat often turned backwards. Dan was known for his love of golf and staying active both, of which he was doing on the day he passed.

Dan is preceded in death by his wife, parents, Meredith and Willie Harper, his uncle and aunt, Casey and Bertha Bates, his mother and father in-law, Joseph and Mary Fenwick, and his brother-in-law, Ed Fenwick.

Dan is survived by his children and grandchildren, as well as brothers-in-law: Jack Fenwick, Jim (Pam) Fenwick, Tom (Jan) Fenwick, Buck (Jan) Fenwick, and Steve (Dawn) Fenwick; sisters-in-law: Karen (Spencer) Hayden, Joyce (Larry) Groenhagen and Therese Fenwick; nieces, nephews, and many, many wonderful friends. He enjoyed an especially close relationship with nephews, Chris and Tim Hayden and Adam and Chad Groenhagen, and niece, Amy Hayden.

Visitation will be on Monday, Aug. 2 from 4-7 p.m. at the Unger Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 236 Kelley Drive, Rochelle with Father Richard Rosinski officiating. Burial will follow at the Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rochelle Food Pantry or the RTHS Education Foundation.

Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.