Debra Cooper, 53

Debra Renee Cooper, age 53, of Colon, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 11, 2012.

She was born July 29, 1958, in Three Rivers, a daughter of Fred and Evelyn (Dentler) Cooper.

She graduated from Mendon High School in 1976. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Fort Wayne Bible College and her master’s degree from Western Michigan University. Debra was a school teacher and most of her teaching career was at Colon Elementary School, where she received the Golden Apple Award and chosen as Teacher of the Year. She was a member of Crossroads Missionary Church, where she taught Sunday school, was a youth sponsor and Bible quiz coach. She enjoyed time at the family cabin up north, fishing, cookouts, and scrapbooking. She also enjoyed baking and decorating cakes on special occasions for family and friends.

Debra is survived by her father, Fred Cooper of Three Rivers; a sister, Gail (Phil) Kuhlman of Mendon; a nephew, Kevin Kuhlman; a niece, Ashley Kuhlman; aunts Jean Ripoli of Battle Creek, Jayne Dentler of Lakeland, Fla., and Mildred Dentler of Kalamazoo; an uncle, Max Cooper of Vicksburg; many cousins; and special friends Frank and Anna Kime of Colon.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Cooper, in 2008.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Crossroads Missionary Church, with Pastor Bryan Balasa officiating. Cremation will follow services, with private interment of ashes later in Parkville Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be directed to Crossroads Missionary Church youth program.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com.