He was born Oct. 23, 1939, in Erie, Pa., to Wilford J. and Helen L. (Halfast) Harter. He married Sandra S. Green on Aug. 18, 1962, in Erie.

She survives, along with three sons, Andrew J. (Susi) Harter of Grand Rapids, Mich., Daniel J. (Sherry) Harter of Naperville, Ill., and Matthew J. (Julie) Harter of Kalamazoo, Mich.; two daughters, Amy L. (James) Mishler and Karen J. (Michael) Ganger, both of Goshen; nine grandchildren and a sister, Nancy (William) Vebber of Waukesha, Wis.

Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 16603 U.S. 12, White Pigeon, Mich., with the Rev. Richard Altine officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, White Pigeon.

Mr. Harter was owner/operator of Management Services in Elkhart for 26 years. He formerly worked in consulting and labor relations with several companies. He graduated from Catholic Prep High School and earned his bachelor's degree from Gannon University, both in Erie. He earned a master's degree in U.S. history from Villanova University in Philadelphia.

Mr. Harter was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, White Pigeon; a third-degree member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 13749 in White Pigeon and a fourth-degree member of Mother Theodore Guerin Assembly No. 2035 in Elkhart. He was a member of Elkhart Moose Lodge No. 599 and the American Legion.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, ranking as a first lieutenant upon his honorable discharge. He was a Civil War buff and historian and a member of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 344, White Pigeon, MI 49099.