Obituary of Matthew L. Harp

Matthew L. Harp, 55, of 3171 Donelson Road, died Friday April 1, 2016, in his home surrounded by his family. An area resident all of his life, he was born May 6, 1960, in Jamestown, a son of the late Milton and Ruby Ames Harp. He was a 1978 graduate of Southwestern Central School and later earned a degree in education from Oswego State University and a master's degree from Buffalo State University. Prior to his retirement in 2015, he was employed by Panama Central School as an industrial arts teacher for over 30 years. Matt was a skilled craftsman and woodworker. He was always serving others and loved his family and friends. He enjoyed leading Bible studies, being out on the lake, working on cars and spending time in the woods. Surviving are his wife Rhonda Larson Harp, whom he married July 9, 1983; three children Joshua (Ashley) Harp of Somerset, KY, JoHannah (Scott) Brown of Baldwinsville, NY and Lydia (John) Kinder of Morgantown, WV; four grandchildren Heidi Harp and Jameson, Gunnar and Arden Brown; two brothers Daniel Harp of Millis, MA and Timothy Harp of Brussels, Belgium as well as two sisters, Jo Anne Swanson of Stow, NY and Sharon Van Ord of Ocean City, MD. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Michael Harp. The funeral will be held at noon Monday at Busti Church of God. Pastor Jeff York and Pastor Chip Allenbaugh will officiate. Burial will be in Busti Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-5 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Calvary Chapel of Russell, 8160 Market Street, Russell, PA 16345 or Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.