Rev. Cooper began preaching in 1959 for the Methodist Church. He was a rural mail carrier for 26 years working the Creston route. He was a member of Big Island Run Methodist Church and a World War II Army veteran.

Rev. Cooper was born February 13, 1916, in Creston, the son of the late Sam Cooper and Lucy Webb Cooper. He was a 1935 graduate of Wirt County High School.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Cooper of Creston; two stepsons, James L. Carez and wife, Vicki, of Parkersburg and William C. Carez and Michele of Parkersburg; three stepdaughters, Susan C. Frushour and husband, Richard, of Aiken, S.C., Mary A. Pirayesh of Taylors, S.C., and Helen K. Wells of Parkersburg; one niece, Loretta Boggs of Elizabeth; two nephews, Samuel DePue of Athens, W.Va., and Harold G. DePue Jr. of Franklin, W.Va.; nine step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Beulah DePue; and one infant sister.

Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Busch-Kimes Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Elizabeth, with the Rev. Delmas Stutler and the Rev. Tim Bell officiating.

Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.