Robert M. Loper, 74

The father of a Bluffton resident, Robert M. Loper, 74, of Portland, died Friday evening at I.U. Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. 
He was born Oct. 7, 1937, in Portland, to Charles M. Lope Sr. and Helen R. Twigg Loper. He married Hedy Schumacher June 3, 1961; his wife survives. 
Also surviving are four sons, Don (Joan) Loper of Portland, Bill (Cheryl) Loper of Portland, Gary (Shannon) Loper of Springville, and Jason Loper of Portland; two daughters, Cynthia Dull of Portland and Amy (Trent) Blackburn of Bluffton; three brothers, Charles Loper Jr. of Portland, Mike Loper of New York and John Loper of Portland; five sisters, Dollie Jellison of Portland, Pat Haviland of Portland, Helen Warren of Saratoga, Charlene Rodmaker of Albion, and Marsha Wickleman of Portland; and 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, at the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home in Portland. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portland. Burial will be at the Center Cemetery in Portland with military graveside rites by American Legion Post 211. 
Online condolences: www.bairdfreeman.com