Obituary of Gloria Ann Cooper

Gloria Cooper, 88, of Niles, speaker, writer, public servant, wife, parent, grandparent, musician and outstanding citizen passed away in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Monday, December 27, 2021, following a brief illness. Gloria was born on May 6, 1933, to the late Reverend Theo and Grace Marie (Wendel) Eisen. After graduating from Niles High School, class of 1951, attended Albion College and Gloria went on to accomplish a host of wonderful things. On June 28th, 1953, she wed Richard Everet Cooper at a ceremony at St. John’s United Church of Christ. She spent twenty-five years working in communications as a radio speaker, many will remember from her legendary radio show “Here’s Gloria”. Her topics were mostly concerning public relations, things that needed to be talked about. Gloria knew her voice was one to be heard, which is why she spent several years writing columns for the Niles Daily Star as well as a variety of publications. She was a strong leader and became a member of many organizations and clubs; Dance Club, Cinema Club, Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Council, Encore Dance, Bridge Club and was a Board Executive of the Beckwith Theatre Company, one of the first women on the Four Flags Chamber of Commerce, secretary for the Niles Public Schools Board, Niles District Library Board, Niles YMCA board of directors member as well as vice president of programs, Niles Downtown Development Authority, just to name a few. She enjoyed music, dance, and art and had a passion for music, even serving as an organist for Wesley United Methodist Church and for her father who pastored at St. John’s United Church of Christ. Gloria never missed an opportunity to set an example of what a good member of the community should be; she was named Four Flags Chamber of Commerce Award for Outstanding Business, the Athena Award for Woman of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award. She was on the Samaritan Center Steering Committee, the Niles Service League, Four Flags Area Bicentennial Commission, and also served as the Grand Marshal of the Four Flags Apple Festival Parade, She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard Cooper, and her half-siblings, Agnes Eisen, Ruth Eisen, Paul Eisen and Eileen Thompson. Gloria is survived by her children, Stacey (Jeff) Linville of Buchanan, Paul (Barb) Cooper of Venice, Florida, Patrick (Beth) Cooper of Holland and Robin Cooper of Niles; eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren as well as many extended family members and close friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at 13 S. Fourth Street in Niles, with a time of visitation beginning one hour prior. Memorial contributions may be made in Gloria’s memory to Fernwood Botanical Gardens at 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, Michigan 49120. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. Gloria was the perfect example of leadership, compassion, and strong-will.