Gary Cooper
June 8, 1939 — April 17, 2016
Gary D. Cooper of Van Wert died at 5:44 a.m. Sunday, April 17, 2016, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born June 8, 1939, in Van Wert County, Ohio, to Margaret "Peg" (Adam) Cooper and Lewis C. Cooper.
His fiancAC., Sandra Brady, survives of Van Wert.
Other survivors include his children, Sandy (Dave) Clayborn of Delphos, Ohio, and Rod (Kelly) Cooper of Middle Point, Ohio, grandchildren, Kimberly (Jeremy) Ebel, Kevin Price, Josh Hoehn, Taylor Hoehn, Michael Cooper, John Cooper, and great-grandchildren, Brianna and Dane Ebel, and Landon, Ashlyn, and Holden Price. He is also survived by his loyal dog, Bailey.
He was preceded in death by a son, Ronnie L. Cooper, one brother, Jerry Cooper, and his sister in law, Helen Cooper.
He was a life long farmer and for drove truck for Store and Haul, Van Wert, for 10 years. He was a 1957 graduate of Van-Del High School.
In high school he was a State and American degree farmer with FFA. He was a former Jackson Township trustee for 30 years, former Van Wert County commissioner for four years, and former Board Director of Farmers Mutual Insurance. He loved the Lincolnview Lancers, traveling across the United States on his motorcycle with his friend Danny Thatcher, snowmobiling, attending shows at NPAC, restoring and collecting old photographs, genealogy, raising hogs for over 30 years, and Van Wert County Fair.
Service will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, Van Wert. The Rev. Stuart Wyatt will officiate.
Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Middle Point Ballpark Association in honor of his great-grandchildren