Bernard Leon “Bernie” Cooper, a 72-year-old resident of Mercer, died on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at his home, northeast of Mercer.
The body was cremated under the direction of the Greenlee-Middleton Funeral Service of Princeton. A celebration of life service will be held by family at a later date.
Mr. Cooper was born on Aug. 17, 1943 in Carlisle, IA, the son of Lester “Sparky” and Eula Meeker Cooper. He was raised in Melcher, IA, where he attended school. He later received his GED while serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He lived most of his working life in Newton, IA, where he was employed by the Rock Island Railroad for several years and later for the Maytag Company for 28 years before retiring in 1993. After retirement he also worked for the Girdner Lumber Company in Mercer.
He was married on Jan. 12, 1980 to Cecile Fern Squires of Newton. They later moved to Mercer, where he was a member of the Ragan-Hickman American Legion Post #477.
He enjoyed animals, gardening, collecting eagle and deer items, building things, and working on small engines as well as joking with family and friends.
Mr. Cooper is survived by his wife, Cecile, of the home; a son, Richard Cooper and his wife, Kara of Melcher; five step-children, Rachel Sowder of Mercer, Richard Cormeny of Mercer, Regina VinSand and her husband, Roger of Ft. Dodge, IA, Rosalind VanGorp and her husband, Randy of Grinnell, IA and Rodney Cormeny of Grinnell; a brother, Lester Cooper and his wife, Margaret of Melcher; one sister, Pam Cooper of Williamson, IA; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; a friend, Jack Henry; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by a daughter, Christina Cooper.
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