James E.

LAUREL - James E. Cooper, 85, Laurel, died Jan. 18, 2021, at the Providence Medical Center, Wayne, following his fight with COVID.

A celebration of life was Jan. 21 at the United Presbyterian Church, Laurel, with the Rev. Charity Potter officiating.

Burial was at the Laurel cemetery, with military rites by the Laurel American Legion Post 54 and the Laurel VFW Post 4504.

Visitation was Thursday morning, at church, until service time. Face masks and social distancing were required at the visitation and funeral. Services were also live streamed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/ live.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Laurel.

Pallbearers were grandchildren, Jarrod Brozek, Morgan Avery, McKenzie Brozek; niece, Caroline Westerhold; and nephews, Tom Cooper and John Cooper.

Honorary pallbearers were granddaughter, Ali Goodyear; nephews, Brandon Meyer, Bruce Meyer; and friends, Ben Kneffi, John Kneffi and Joe Johnson.

James Eldon Cooper was born Jan. 6, 1936, in Hartington, to Bert and Vera (Larson) Cooper. He attended grade school in a small country school and graduated from Laurel High School in 1953. Following high school, Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he then spent two years serving his country. Following his basic training, he was stationed in Germany. After his discharge from the Army, Jim resumed working on the farm near Hartington, then moved to Coleridge and later to Laurel, to spend his last years there farming. Jim married Della Bishop Feb. 9, 1958, in Maskell. They had three children, Lisa, Jan and Shelley.

Jim loved spending time with his family and friends telling his many stories of his life. He always seemed to have a quick recommendation to all he touched no matter what the subject matter discussed.

Jim was a member of the United Presbyterian church, Laurel. He liked to hunt and tinker with engines or any mechanical challenge he could find when he had the chance.

Survivors include his wife, Della, Laurel; three daughters, Lisa Goodyear, Sunnyvale, Calif.; Jan (Andy) Lux, Hubbard; Shelley Brozek, Bartlett; a brother, Jack (Anita) Cooper, Ashland; sister-in-law, Jeanine (Dick) Stene, Beresford, S.D.; and some of the most important people in his world, his nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Vera Cooper; a sister, JeAnne Burg; sisters-in-law, Sharon Meyer and Patti Peterson.