Ralph Steven Harper was born on February 22, 1950 in Indianapolis, IN, to Mary Helen Harper and Ralph Wade Harper. Everyone called him "Steve". Steve attended school 52 and graduated from Washington High School in 1969. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he was 1st Sergeant and fought in the Vietnam War. Steve received his Honorable Discharge and received a Purple Heart military decoration award for his bravery. Steve loved sports and played basketball as forward, football with the Marines and soft-ball with the Downbeat. Steve most importantly loved spending time with his family and his grandkids, who called him "PaPaw". When Steve returned to Indianapolis it was then that he found his love, his life Mary, they were in a Drama Club at the Christamore House ran by Moe Latimore. They loved spending time together taking rides and playing cards. After never being apart for 44 years, they were married June 16, 2011 at Kingdom Vision Ministries where they both confessed and rededicated their lives together as Mr. and Mrs. Harper. Steve was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, he was outgoing, funny and loved to tell jokes. His personality was unique and it along with his charming smile and laughter will be sadly missed. Steve ended this life on March 5, 2020 at the age of 70 years and 12 days. He is preceded in death by his mother and father Mary and Ralph Harper, brothers Michael Harper, Rick Harper, nephew Kevin Chambers and great granddaughter Lyric Hudson. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife Mary Harper, his daughter Shawnika (Stacey) Harper, step-daughter Pamela, siblings Sue Ann Harper, Donna Jean Harper, Gregory Harper (Cassandra), Terri Harper and Victoria Norris; his 13 grandchildren; Ambreiana, De'An, Donald III, Dontai, Kaisha, Aaryn, Mani, Philip, Peyton, Paige, Brent Jr., Brittany, Shamarr; 7 great grandchildren; Zander, Za'Niyah, Lyric, December, BJ, Kodi, Christian and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Thursday, March 12, 2020 Serenity Funeral and Cremation Services 6202 Michigan Road Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Funeral 1:00 pm Thursday, March 12, 2020 Serenity Funeral and Cremation Services 6202 Michigan Road Indianapolis, Indiana, United States