Kenneth Earl Cooper

Kenneth Earl Cooper, 82, of Harmonsburg, passed away Monday, July 8, 2013, at the Meadville Medical Center.

He was born October 26, 1930, in Pittsburgh to Marie Johnston Cooper and Ralph B. Cooper.  After the death of his mother in December of 1941, he moved to Meadville, and was raised by his maternal grandparents, Homer and Sarah Johnston.

Ken proudly joined the United States Army in August of 1948 during the Korean Conflict.  He then married Darlene Smock in June of 1952.  They had four children Debbie, Jay, Christy and Jeff.  His family traveled with him throughout his career.  He retired in 1968 with 21 years of service.  His first wife, Darlene, preceded him in death on December 28, 1970.

He returned to Meadville in 1974 and worked at Dad’s Dog Food until 1997.  Ken married Ruth Ann Pittner in February of 1977.  They combined had a family of 7 children.

Ken was a lifetime member of the Lineville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7842.  In his spare time, he loved to play pool, darts, and enjoyed golfing.  He will be sadly missed by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Ruth Ann Cooper; his children, Debbie Souffrant and her husband, Chip, of Oakdale, Jay Cooper and his wife, Brenda, of Saegertown, Christy Lemberg, and her husband, John, of Kentucky, Jeff Cooper of Davidson, North Carolina, Richard Pittner and his wife, Lisa, of Linesville, Patti Franz and her husband, Ed, of Conneautville and Susan Pittner and her husband, Chip, of Arcadia, Florida; 17 grandchildren, Kenny, Jenny, Becky, Billy, Shelly, Mike, Sean, Randy, John, Kasey, Jason, Dan, Amie, Kelli, Greg, Jennifer and Keith; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Ralph Cooper and his wife, Jean, of New Castle, Jim Cooper and his wife, Nancy, of Conneautville and Allen Cooper and his wife, Jane of Edinburg; a sister, Sally McVicars of New Castle; brother-in-law and very best friend, Jim Stevenson and his wife, Thelma, of Connecticut; many nieces and nephews; and pool and dart playing friend, Clarence Scully.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Darlene, an infant son, David, a sister, Shirley Roberts, and two nephews, Jimmy and Dawson Roberts.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday at Royal-Coleman Funeral Home, 6028 U.S. Highway 6, Linesville with Rev. Dennis E. Lawton of the Linesville United Methodist Church officiating.  The family will receive friends on Saturday before the service from noon until 2 p.m.

Full military honors will be provided at the funeral home by the Huidekoper Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006.

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