Harper C Shiley

Harper served in the United States Air Force 6934th Radio Squadron, USAF Security Service. He was a Mechanical Engineer graduate from Penn State University College of Engineering, a Business Management graduate of Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts and received several certifications in mechanical drafting and tool design. He retired from Dover Corporation, C. Lee Cook Division, Louisville, KY.

He was a founding member of the Montague, MA Elks Lodge #2521, a member of the Middletown United Methodist Church, a former Sunday School teacher, and a Kentucky Colonel. He devoted many years as a Scout Master in the Lincoln Heritage Council of Boy Scouts of America, Troop 8. He was a coach for the Lyndon Recreation Association from boys’ T-ball through senior baseball and girls’ softball.

One of his greatest gifts was as a musician who could play by ear. He shared his musical talents by playing the piano and pipe organ in multiple churches in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Just as his mother passed her gift of music on to him, he passed his gift on to his children.

In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his wife of 53 years, Carol M. Shiley, and two sisters Ruth Ann Maryott and Judith Castiglia.

Surviving are his children, Donna Kinzer (Gary), Sheri Judd, Michele Shiley, Eva Cutsinger (Joe), Jeffrey Shiley (Becky), and Bradley Shiley (Nicole); eight grandchildren, Nathan Judd (Amanda), Wendy Judd, Remington Judd (Madisyn), Tim Shiley (Hannah), Taylor Washer (Christian), Dominic Hargrove, Makayla Hargrove, and Kennedy Shiley; eight great-grandchildren, Ella Woitaszewski, Ranger Judd, Hudson Harris, Leo Judd, Blakeley Judd, Clyde Shiley, Charlie Shiley and Beckham Washer; and one sister, Ellen Molko.

A memorial visitation to honor the life of Harper will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, in the parlor of Arch L. Heady & Sons Funeral Home at Westport Road. In lieu of customary expressions of sympathy, the family has requested contributions to the Lincoln Heritage Council of the Boys Scouts of America.