Alva “Dean” Harger, 77, died Monday, June 25, 2012 following a short illness.

He was born in Michigan City on April 15, 1935, the son of the late Alva and Marie Harger, who preceded him in death.

On July 18, 1961, he married Dorothea (Croft) Harger, who survives.

He is also survived by a daughter, Deanna (Kelly) Strelinski of Michigan City; a son, Gregory Harger of Knoxville, Tenn.; five grandsons, Adam Strelinski, Aaron Strelinski, Alex Strelinski, Austin Strelinski and Addison Strelinski; a brother, Dennis Harger of Nixa, Mo.; sisters Fay (John) Myers of Auburn, Ind., and Fern Harger of Nixa, Mo.; and several nephews and nieces.

Dean was a graduate of Elston High School in Michigan City and served two years in the U.S. Army, including 13 months’ duty in Korea. He was a retired crane operator from U.S. Steel in Gary and worked several years for Costas/Wiseway supermarkets. Dean was part of a Christian home fellowship.

Funeral services , officiated by Mark Peters and Scott Potter, are scheduled for 12 p.m. Thursday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway in Chesterton. Burial is to be at Chesterton Cemetery.

Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions maybe made to VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.EE-FH.com

Posted 6/26/2012