Barbara J. Cooper

Barbara Jean Cooper, 71, of St. Joseph died Sunday, July 6, at Lakeland Regional Hospital following a short illness. Barbara was a member of the First United Methodist Church of St. Joseph where a Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, July 9, at 10:30am, with Rev. Wade Panse officiating. Burial will be in Riverview cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8, from 5-8pm at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of St. Joseph, or to the Berrien County Cancer Service. Friends wishing to sign the guest-book, or share a memory online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Barbara was born on March 9, 1932 to Arthur and Alice (Ward) Theesfeld, in Dowagiac, MI. After graduating from Benton Harbor High School she was employed at Farmers and Merchants National Bank where she worked as a bookkeeper. On February 16, 1952, Barbara married Lowell Thomas Cooper of St. Joseph where the couple made their home and raised a family of 2 children ? Cheryl Lynn and Bradford Verner. She worked at the St. Joseph?s branch of the Secretary of State?s office where she retired from the State of Michigan. After retirement the couple enjoyed traveling and for several years they made their winter residence in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. As they traveled and would meet people from this area she was recognized as ?the lady from the license bureau!? She also loved to entertain for family gatherings and made the times so special through all her loving touches. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt who will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. Barbara is survived by her husband of 51 years, Thomas, of St. Joseph; her daughter Cheryl (Ron) Ketelhut; grandsons ? Thomas Frank, & Darren Michael, all of Watervliet; sister ? Beth Ann (Donald) Quist of McBain, MI.; brother ? William (Telitha) Theesfeld, of Baldwin, MI.; sisters-in-law ? Patricia (Jake) Link of South Bend, IN, and Gloria Nelson of Atlanta, GA; step-mother ? Edna Theesfeld of Cadillac, MI; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and son Bradford.