Norman D. Cooper, age 91 of Clare, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 12, 2024 at the MyMichigan Medical Center of Alma, with his wife by his side. On April 9, 1933, Norman was born one of twelve children to John and Leona (Foster) Cooper in Evart, MI. When Norman was around seven years old, his family moved to Clare, where he remained a lifelong resident. He was united in marriage to Nila Middleton on October 8, 1982 in Clare. During his earliest working years, Norman worked for Clare’s Weltronic plant for 15 years before working for a brief period with the Clare Hardware. In the late 1960’s, Norman took an equipment operators position with the Clare County Road Commission—a career that lasted twenty-six years into his retirement in the 90’s. When Norman wasn’t working, he could usually be found enjoying the outdoors in his passions for deer or pheasant hunting, fishing, or gardening. Norman was a hard worker and enjoyed all types of carpentry projects and keeping active. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and was very active in his Chapel Hill Wesleyan Church of Marion.
Norman is survived by his wife Nila of Clare and his children Debbie Bails, Norm Cooper and Joe (Terri) Cooper, all of whom reside in AZ., Doug (Joy) Cooper of GA., Russell (Amy) Cooper of Wayland, MI., Pastor Robert (Michelle) Cooper of Wayne, MI., Cindi (Steve) Mann of FL., Joseph (Lisa) Hegyi of OH., and Nina Hegyi of Clare. Other survivors include Norman’s twenty grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, brothers Calvin (Carol), Clinton (Lucy) Ken (Sharon), Phil (Carol), and Richard Cooper, all of Clare, sisters Jeanie (Lance) Sprague of Harrison and Kathy (Harold) Peckens of Farwell, and many nieces and nephews. Norman was preceded in death by his parents John and Leona Cooper, his brothers Dale Cooper and Carl Cooper, his sisters Faye Salinas and Ruth Funnell, his daughter-in-law Kathy Cooper, and his granddaughter Monica Bails.
A funeral service in honor of Norman will take place at the Clare Chapel of the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Steve Boven officiating. Burial will follow services in the Cherry Grove Cemetery of Clare. Friends may visit with the Cooper family at the funeral home on Sunday the 18th from 2:00 P.M to 4:00 P.M. and again from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Memorial contributions in honor of Norman may be directed to the Family or Chapel Hill Wesleyan Church of Marion. For those unable to attend services, online condolences may be shared at www.stephenson-wyman.com
