Mitchell L. (Mike) Harpster, 50, of Pennsylvania Furnace, Franklin Township, died unexpectedly Jan. 3, 2006, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College.
Born April 27, 1955, in Tyrone, he was son of the late Glenn R. and Betty J. (Wilson) Harpster.
On Dec. 11, 1976, he married Debora K. Tate, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Park Forest. She preceded him in death Nov. 8, 1996.
He was a 1973 graduate of Tyrone Area High School.
He was employed for 35 years at Altoona Gas and Old, Pennsylvania Furnace, and was the owner of Mike’s Auto Body.
He was a founding member of the Claybank Hunting Camp. He was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors. He enjoyed drag racing at Beaver Springs.
Surviving are a son, Patrick A. Harpster, of Pennsylvania Furnace; a granddaughter, Madison; a sister, Deborah L. and Joseph Menna, of Bellefonte; a brother, Dave and Jane Harpster, of Pine Grove Mills; a grandmother, Cathryn E. Harpster, of Centre Hall; and fiancé, Kathy Spagnoli of Altoona.
He was preceded in death by a son, Brian M., on May 2, 2001.
Friends will be received on Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Bruce E. Cox Funeral Home, Warriors Mark.
Memorial services are 2 p.m., Friday at the funeral home, with Rev. Ronald C. Miller Jr. of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Burial will be in Ross Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Memorials may be made to the Mike Harpster Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 51, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865.
