James H. Cooper

Rev. James H. Cooper, 79, of Harmonsburg, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 31, 2015.  He died at home with his beloved wife and family at his side.

He was born on November 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.

Jim was a graduate of Union High School.  He served in the Marines from 1954 until 1959.  He received an honorary discharge in 1962 as a sergeant (E-4).  He was a 1976 graduate of Allegheny College and became a deacon in 1978.  He attended Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio with a Master of Divinity.  He then became an Elder in 1981.  He served as a United Methodist Minister in different churches from 1970 until 1993 and he retired in 2002.

Jim attended the 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 loving wife of 51 years, Nancy Cooper; 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, Pa.; 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; 6 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; a brother, Kenneth Cooper; a sister, Shirley Roberts; and two brother-in-law’s, Keith McVickers and Dawson Roberts.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 9 at the Linesville First Baptist Church, 6114 U. S. Hwy 6, Linesville with Pastor Joel Weck, Senior Pastor, officiating.  The family will 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 Dr., Erie, Pa 16506.

Arrangements are under the direction of Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville.

Please share a condolence or memory of Jim for the family at royalcolemanfuneralhome.com.