Elaine "Chuckie" Harper

Elaine “Chuckie” Harper, 78, of Crystal Lake, passed away early Thursday morning, June 19, 2025.

Born March 30, 1947, in Corning, New York, to Henry Ervay and Marian (Reed), Chuckie grew up in Upstate New York and graduated from Corning East High School. She was the oldest of 4 siblings. Her younger sisters — Lorraine Connelly and Marlaine Mangels — have since passed, and she is survived by her brother, Henry (Hank) Ervay, Jr.

She married her best friend, Peter Harper, on New Year’s Eve in 1977 in Royal Oak, MI. Their life together took them to many places including the Detroit suburbs and Toulouse, France, before settling in Crystal Lake in 1986.

Chuckie was full of life, always ready for a party or a new adventure. She had a big personality, made friends easily, and loved being around people.

Shortly after moving to Crystal Lake, she joined a bowling league to get to know others in town. Her friend of 39 years, Marlene Mugavero, was one of the first bowlers she met.

Chuckie became a carpet and flooring expert; she was one of the first employees at the Crystal Lake Home Depot. After retirement she began using her interior design prowess by upgrading the family home. She was the kind of person who truly enjoyed life—shopping, picking out souvenirs, soaking in the sun, and golfing. Travel was a big part of her life and some of her favorite places were Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, and destinations across Europe. Horses held a special place in her heart ever since her childhood.

She is survived by her husband, Peter; her children, Denise (James) Lynch and Michael Felker; her grandchildren, Abbey (Ryan) Polin, Megan (Caleb) Miloser, and Madison Lynch; and her great-granddaughter, Riley Polin. Contessa, Chuckie’s Maltese dog, is missing her.

She is also survived by the families of her late sisters, including Lorraine’s three children John, David, and Cathryn; Marlaine’s son Paul Ortiz; as well as her brother Hank and his wife Mary Gail, and two daughters, Andrea and Adrienne. Additional survivors are nieces Heather Springsteen, Kristin Hoffman, Linne Svensson and nephew RJ Harper.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 1, from 4 to 8 p.m., and again on Wednesday, July 2, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake. Burial will follow at Crystal Lake Memorial Park.