Gary D. Cooper

Gary D. Cooper of Van Wert died at 5:44 a.m. Sunday, April 17, 2016, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne.

He was born June 8, 1939, in Van Wert County, the son of Lewis C. and Margaret “Peg” (Adam) Cooper, who both preceded him in death. His fiancée, Sandra Brady, survives in Van Wert.

Other survivors include two children, Sandy (Dave) Clayborn of Delphos and Rod (Kelly) Cooper of Middle Point; six grandchildren, Kimberly (Jeremy) Ebel, Kevin Price, Josh Hoehn, Taylor Hoehn, Michael Cooper, and John Cooper; and five great-grandchildren, Brianna and Dane Ebel, and Landon, Ashlyn, and Holden Price. He is also survived by his loyal dog, Bailey.

A son, Ronnie L. Cooper; one brother, Jerry Cooper; and a sister-in-law, Helen Cooper, also preceded him in death.

Gary was a lifelong farmer and drove truck for Store and Haul in Van Wert for 10 years. He was a 1957 graduate of Van-Del High School, was a State and American degree farmer with FFA, was a Jackson Township trustee for 30 years, and a Van Wert County commissioner for four years. He was a former board member of Farmers Mutual Insurance and loved the Van Wert County Fair.

He loved the Lincolnview Lancers; traveling across the United States on his motorcycle with his friend, Danny Thatcher; snowmobiling; attending shows at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio; restoring and collecting old photographs; genealogy; and raising hogs for more than three decades.

Funeral services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Stuart Wyatt officiating.

Visitation is from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Middle Point Ballpark Association in honor of his great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.