Maxwell Dean Harper 81, a resident of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, passed away October 4, 2006 at his home. He was born July 2, 1925 near Malvern, Arkansas, the son of Winlock and Lillie Wiley Harper. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fayetteville. Dean retired from the Federal Soil Conservation Service and was employed with the University of Arkansas before his retirement. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine Rouse Harper, three brothers, Lile, Elwood and Donald Doyle Harper. Survivors include his wife, Wanda Hegi Harper of the home; one son, Jim Harper of Little Rock, Arkansas; one stepson, Lance Staggs and his wife Cindy of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; one stepdaughter, Tammy Barnes and her husband, Johnny of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; two sisters, Eloise Balmer of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Bernice Bailey of Malvern, Arkansas; one brother-in-law, Wiley Hegi of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; four step-grandchildren.