Rev. James H. Cooper, 79, of Harmonsburg went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015. He died at home with his beloved wife and family at his side.
He was born on Nov. 27, 1936, in New Castle, to the late Ralph and Marie Johnston Cooper. At a young age after his mother’s death, he and his youngest brother, Alan, were raised by the late Sam and Vivian Phenecie.
He married Nancy Seibold on May 16, 1964. She was the love of his life and together they raised five children.
A graduate of Union High School, he served in the U.S. Marines from 1954 until 1959 and received an honorable discharge in 1962 as a sergeant (E-4).
Rev. Cooper was licensed to preach in 1970 and served State Road and Mt. Hope/PineGrove/Black Ash UM churches as a licensed pastor before graduating from Allegheny College in 1976. He then earned a master of divinity degree at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He was ordained a deacon in 1978 and an elder in 1981. He served as pastor of congregations including Fairmount/STrongsville, the Cherry Tree Circuit, Alum Bank, Purchase Line and Mill Run from 1970 until 1993. He retired in 2002.
Jim attended Linesville First Baptist Church. He also enjoyed teaching. He loved woodworking and made many beautiful pieces. He coached teener league baseball and loved telling stories about it. Jim loved spending time with his wife.
Survivors include his wife Nancy; five children, Patty Hoegerl and her husband, Richard, of Linesville, Diane Taylor and her husband, Larry, of Berlin, Susan Shaffer and her husband, Cory, of Windber, Shawn Cooper and his wife, Rose, of Dixonville and Jamie Cooper and his wife, Shelly, of Clymer; 12 grandchildren, Ryan Miller, Linsey McFetridge, Sheena Weyant and her husband, Josh, James Endress III, Steven, Quentin and Aaron Hoegerl, Jerad Taylor and his wife, Kelly, Matt Cunningham, Tonya Sell, Jennifer Boyer and Megan Detwiler; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ralph Cooper and his wife, Jean, of New Castle and Alan Cooper and his wife, Jane, of Edinburg; a sister, Sally McVickers of New Castle; a sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Cooper of Harmonsburg; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Kenneth Cooper; sister Shirley Roberts; and two brothers-in-law, Keith McVickers and Dawson Roberts.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Jan. 9 at Linesville First Baptist Church, 6114 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville, with Pastor Joel Weck, senior pastor, officiating. The family was to receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Christian Academy, 543 Randolph St., Meadville, Pa. 16335; or the Regional Home Health and Hospice, 2564 Village Common Drive, Erie, Pa. 16506.