Karen Elaine Harper (nee Shanholtzer) passed away peacefully on August 2, 2017 after a long battle with cancer.  She was 62. Karen was born on July 27, 1955 in Clarksburg, WVA.  She was the beloved wife of 22 years of John E. Harper of Mantua, and loving mother of Gayle (Rob) Hauptman, Jeffrey (Christina) Marek, and Joseph (Jennifer) Marek. Loving step-mother of Matthew (Angel) Harper, and Tara (Bob) Dombrowski.  Devoted grandmother of Bobby, Ethan, Abigail, Paige, Brooke, Madison, Blake, Alex, Trevor, Gabriel, and Andrew. Loving sister to Dorothy (Jack) Horner, Barbara Kylin, Janice (Ron) Richardson, David (Linda) Shanholtzer, and Gerald (Pat) Shanholtzer.  Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Naomi (Bean) Shanholtzer, and her sister Ann Perry, and brothers Fred, Larry, and Eugene Shanholtzer. Karen was a lifelong resident of Mantua, and graduated from Crestwood High School in 1973. Many knew her as co-owner of Harper Well and Pump and The Mouse Nest gift shop in Mantua. She was past Secretary of the Mantua Historical Society, and past President of the Women's Auxiliary of the Ohio Water Well Association. Karen always had a smile for everyone, and made friends wherever she went. Her laugh lit up the room. She truly loved life and everyone in it. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.  Per her request, there will be no calling hours or public services. Cremation has taken place. There will be a private family service.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, or to the Mantua Historical Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Home Ravenna Chapel. 

 Service Information