Rachel E Cooper

A memorial service celebrating the life of Rachel E. Cooper, 94, of Heath, formerly of Granville will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway, Granville, with The Rev. Thom Lamb officiating. A graveside service will follow at 6:00 p.m. at St. Maryʼs Cemetery located near the intersection of OH-61 and Sand Road in Norwalk, Ohio.

A retired teacher from Granville Elementary School, Mrs. Cooper was born February 5, 1916 in Canton, Oklahoma to the late Etta Estella Brugler and William Herschel Ballard. Mrs. Cooper died October 5, 2010 at Chapel Grove Inn, Heath, Ohio. Mrs. Cooper graduated from Norwalk High School, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio and from Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio.

In the 1930ʻs Mrs. Cooper started her teaching career at Lime Township School. In the 1960ʼs, after years as a homemaker, Mrs. Cooper returned to teaching in Lexington, Ohio and then taught in Granville, Ohio. Former students often recognized her and stopped to visit.

Mrs. Cooper attended three Olympic games in 1976, 1984, and 1988. Her passion about the Olympic spirit lead to a teaching component where many students learned the history of the Olympics and participated in activities designed around Olympic sports. In 1963-64 Mrs. Cooper was the Lexington High School cross country coach.

Mrs. Cooper enjoyed singing, dancing (with her husband), and playing the piano. For years she was a member of the Newark Damenchor. She was also an avid reader, an avid Ohio State fan, and an avid sports spectator, especially for her children and grandchildren. They knew this because they could hear her cheering. She was their constant and enthusiastic supporter. Nature, too, was a pleasure for her. She always found a place for a bird feeder with binoculors and a bird book near by.

Because she had a zest for learning, books were important in her home. Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln and Vincent Van Gogh were of special interest.

Mrs. Cooper was a gentle person, concerned about others--with a beautiful, welcoming smile.

Most important to Mrs. Cooper was her family including her husband of 65 years, the late Paul James Cooper; daughters and sons-in law, Barbara and Ralph Thayer of Grosse Ile, Mich., and Paula and Dallas Davenport of Rye, N.H.; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Bea Cooper of Big Rapids, Mich., and James and Kathy Cooper of Granville; sister, Mrs. William (Martha) Berkley of Norwalk; 15 grandchildren and 10 spouses of grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She loved them all.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Marshall Ballard, Max Ballard, David Ballard, Danny Ballard, and her sister Mrs. Felix (Betty) Legando.

The McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home in Granville is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio, P.O. Box 430, Newark, OH 43058 or to Granville Public Library, 217 East Broadway, Granville OH 43023.