Submitted by: Dan Rich

Elmer Cooper

Jan. 31, 1928 - Jan. 5, 2001

South Bend Tribune 1/7/2001

Elmer "Jack" Cooper, 72, of 35th Street, South Bend, Ind., died at 8:40 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, in his residence. Jack was born in Jonesboro, Ark., on Jan. 31, 1928, and had lived in this area most of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Amanda (Stalcup) Cooper, and by a brother. Jack retired from St. Joseph Community Hospital in 1990 after 24 years of service. He was a World War II veteran of the Air Force, and a member of the America Legion Post #202.

Jack is survived by his wife, Ruth, who he married in Mishawaka, Ind., on April 30, 1978. He is also survived by a daughter, Diane (Melvin) Hawkins of Batesville, Ark.; a son, Hershel (Connie) Cooper of Albuquerque, N.M.; two stepdaughters, Roxanne Banks of Elkhart, Ind., and Cindy McBride of Mishawaka; three stepsons, Ronald (Lisa) Salyer of Mishawaka, Douglas (Michele) Salyer of Granger, Ind., and John (Paula) Salyer of Mishawaka; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Doris (Joe) Gyarmali of Mishawaka. Jack was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and loved gardening and fishing.

Friends and family may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today, Jan. 7th, in the Bubb Funeral Chapel North, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday in the funeral home, with Rev. Ervin Mize officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind.