Cooper Dies Today Following Relapse
Former Mayor Homer Cooper died at 10:45 a.m. today, two days after undergoing emergency surgery for severe abdominal difficulties arising last weekend.
The ex-mayor, who left office after 11 months as an appointee and after serving 11 years on city council, was 59.
A Memorial Hospital spokesman said a post mortem will be conducted to determine cause of death.
Condition of Mr. Cooper had worsened Wednesday afternoon. He hovered near death through the night and was treated in the hospital's intensive care unit.
Mayor Christian P. Morris, informed at his office 10 minutes after the death of his predecessor, commented later, "You know it's coming, but it still hurts when it happens." The mayor had been in his daily conference with reporters when news of the death came from hospital administrator John Paplow.
Mr. Cooper was admitted to Memorial Hospital late Sunday, suffering abdominal pains. Nature of the former mayor's latest illness was described as being in the nature of an intestinal blockage.
Complications arose late Wednesday and Mr. Cooper's condition changed from fair to very serious, related Sherwood Versteeg, hospital spokesman.
Surgery Monday was not specifically related to Mr. Cooper's previous ailments, which had placed him in poor health for the past several years. He suffered kidney, heart and respiratory problems.
Siferd's Westwood Chapel will be in charge of funeral arrangements.
Hospitalization came two days prior to Mr. Cooper's planned departure for an extended vacation in California and a visit with his grandchildren.
General poor condition of the ex-mayor's health from these earlier problems was a factor contributing to Mr. Cooper's worsening late Wednesday, medical authorities at Memorial believed.
News of the ex-mayor's death sped through city hall, bringing with it a depression of spirits. Mr. Cooper was extremely popular with his colleagues as councilman and mayor.
At Memorial Hospital, administrator Paplow issued a statement, "Lima Memorial Hospital has lost a good and dedicated friend, a member of the hospital family.
"During his more than 10 years of service on the board of trustees, Homer Cooper gave generously of his time and efforts to advance the cause of the hospital to the end that its patients might receive the best possible care.
"We shall miss him. We take consolation from the fact that his contributions live on as part of his legacy to the community and his fellow men."
Council President C. W. Bradford, saddened by the loss of his long-time friend and former fellow councilman, remarked, "Lima has lost a very wonderful citizen. He was the most dedicated mayor the city has seen. . . He was most sincere and did accomplish a lot of things other people didn't pay attention to.
"He picked up Lima and made it No. 1 more than anyone else," said Bradford.
The latest bout concerning his health was not the first time Mr. Cooper had been in a grim battle for life. Following surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., a year ago, Mr. Cooper hovered on the brink of death, but battled back to take over mayoralty of Lima. He succeeded William Nungester.
In November, 1953, successful in union politics at B-L-H Corp., holding the position of bargaining committee chairman and paid a salary by the plant itself to troubleshoot union problems, Mr. Cooper turned to municipal politics.
Running for the 5th Ward council seat, Mr. Cooper squeezed out a 50-vote victory over young, upcoming politician William Nungester. A year later Mr. Cooper was appointed president of city council, replacing Clyde Welty who had moved into the mayor's office.
Cooper twice was re-elected to council, his greatest victory coming in 1961 when he carried 75 of the city's 76 precincts in the race for council president.
Mr. Cooper was Lima's 56th mayor, taking office just over 35 years after he came to this community as a 21-year-old former Tennessee farm boy.
He was born the oldest of 12 children of a tenant farmer, just outside of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He picked cotton in the fields with his brothers and sisters, and rode six miles to school at Halls Hill in a covered wagon.
Mr. Cooper went into farming, but quit after a year and went to Detroit. Then he moved to Toledo where he was a punch press operator with the Willys Overland Co. Model changeover time saw Mr. Cooper laid off his job, and on July 8, 1929, he wandered into Lima. He didn't know a soul and had nothing but holes in his pockets.
Mr. Cooper secured employment at Lima State Hospital in the occupational therapy department. Eventually he became president of the employees' union.
Along came World War II, and in February, 1942, Mr. Cooper joined the war production effort at what is now Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corp.
The former mayor was noted as one who managed the city informally, preferring to quietly confer with department heads. Often he could be viewed in his first-floor office, feet propped on his secretary's desk and drawing on his ever-present pipe. Chuckling, joshing and drawling in good humor with reporters or anyone who cared to chat was a mark of Mr. Cooper.
Items which Mr. Cooper considered highlights of his career in municipal service included the West Market Street extension, the ambulance service contract and opposition of municipal incorporations in Bath and Shawnee Townships.
(published in The Lima News, Thursday, December 16, 1965)
Former Mayor Homer Cooper died at 10:45 a.m. today, two days after undergoing emergency surgery for severe abdominal difficulties arising last weekend.
The ex-mayor, who left office after 11 months as an appointee and after serving 11 years on city council, was 59.
A Memorial Hospital spokesman said a post mortem will be conducted to determine cause of death.
Condition of Mr. Cooper had worsened Wednesday afternoon. He hovered near death through the night and was treated in the hospital's intensive care unit.
Mayor Christian P. Morris, informed at his office 10 minutes after the death of his predecessor, commented later, "You know it's coming, but it still hurts when it happens." The mayor had been in his daily conference with reporters when news of the death came from hospital administrator John Paplow.
Mr. Cooper was admitted to Memorial Hospital late Sunday, suffering abdominal pains. Nature of the former mayor's latest illness was described as being in the nature of an intestinal blockage.
Complications arose late Wednesday and Mr. Cooper's condition changed from fair to very serious, related Sherwood Versteeg, hospital spokesman.
Surgery Monday was not specifically related to Mr. Cooper's previous ailments, which had placed him in poor health for the past several years. He suffered kidney, heart and respiratory problems.
Siferd's Westwood Chapel will be in charge of funeral arrangements.
Hospitalization came two days prior to Mr. Cooper's planned departure for an extended vacation in California and a visit with his grandchildren.
General poor condition of the ex-mayor's health from these earlier problems was a factor contributing to Mr. Cooper's worsening late Wednesday, medical authorities at Memorial believed.
News of the ex-mayor's death sped through city hall, bringing with it a depression of spirits. Mr. Cooper was extremely popular with his colleagues as councilman and mayor.
At Memorial Hospital, administrator Paplow issued a statement, "Lima Memorial Hospital has lost a good and dedicated friend, a member of the hospital family.
"During his more than 10 years of service on the board of trustees, Homer Cooper gave generously of his time and efforts to advance the cause of the hospital to the end that its patients might receive the best possible care.
"We shall miss him. We take consolation from the fact that his contributions live on as part of his legacy to the community and his fellow men."
Council President C. W. Bradford, saddened by the loss of his long-time friend and former fellow councilman, remarked, "Lima has lost a very wonderful citizen. He was the most dedicated mayor the city has seen. . . He was most sincere and did accomplish a lot of things other people didn't pay attention to.
"He picked up Lima and made it No. 1 more than anyone else," said Bradford.
The latest bout concerning his health was not the first time Mr. Cooper had been in a grim battle for life. Following surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., a year ago, Mr. Cooper hovered on the brink of death, but battled back to take over mayoralty of Lima. He succeeded William Nungester.
In November, 1953, successful in union politics at B-L-H Corp., holding the position of bargaining committee chairman and paid a salary by the plant itself to troubleshoot union problems, Mr. Cooper turned to municipal politics.
Running for the 5th Ward council seat, Mr. Cooper squeezed out a 50-vote victory over young, upcoming politician William Nungester. A year later Mr. Cooper was appointed president of city council, replacing Clyde Welty who had moved into the mayor's office.
Cooper twice was re-elected to council, his greatest victory coming in 1961 when he carried 75 of the city's 76 precincts in the race for council president.
Mr. Cooper was Lima's 56th mayor, taking office just over 35 years after he came to this community as a 21-year-old former Tennessee farm boy.
He was born the oldest of 12 children of a tenant farmer, just outside of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He picked cotton in the fields with his brothers and sisters, and rode six miles to school at Halls Hill in a covered wagon.
Mr. Cooper went into farming, but quit after a year and went to Detroit. Then he moved to Toledo where he was a punch press operator with the Willys Overland Co. Model changeover time saw Mr. Cooper laid off his job, and on July 8, 1929, he wandered into Lima. He didn't know a soul and had nothing but holes in his pockets.
Mr. Cooper secured employment at Lima State Hospital in the occupational therapy department. Eventually he became president of the employees' union.
Along came World War II, and in February, 1942, Mr. Cooper joined the war production effort at what is now Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corp.
The former mayor was noted as one who managed the city informally, preferring to quietly confer with department heads. Often he could be viewed in his first-floor office, feet propped on his secretary's desk and drawing on his ever-present pipe. Chuckling, joshing and drawling in good humor with reporters or anyone who cared to chat was a mark of Mr. Cooper.
Items which Mr. Cooper considered highlights of his career in municipal service included the West Market Street extension, the ambulance service contract and opposition of municipal incorporations in Bath and Shawnee Townships.
(published in The Lima News, Thursday, December 16, 1965)
Cooper Dies Today Following Relapse
Former Mayor Homer Cooper died at 10:45 a.m. today, two days after undergoing emergency surgery for severe abdominal difficulties arising last weekend.
The ex-mayor, who left office after 11 months as an appointee and after serving 11 years on city council, was 59.
A Memorial Hospital spokesman said a post mortem will be conducted to determine cause of death.
Condition of Mr. Cooper had worsened Wednesday afternoon. He hovered near death through the night and was treated in the hospital's intensive care unit.
Mayor Christian P. Morris, informed at his office 10 minutes after the death of his predecessor, commented later, "You know it's coming, but it still hurts when it happens." The mayor had been in his daily conference with reporters when news of the death came from hospital administrator John Paplow.
Mr. Cooper was admitted to Memorial Hospital late Sunday, suffering abdominal pains. Nature of the former mayor's latest illness was described as being in the nature of an intestinal blockage.
Complications arose late Wednesday and Mr. Cooper's condition changed from fair to very serious, related Sherwood Versteeg, hospital spokesman.
Surgery Monday was not specifically related to Mr. Cooper's previous ailments, which had placed him in poor health for the past several years. He suffered kidney, heart and respiratory problems.
Siferd's Westwood Chapel will be in charge of funeral arrangements.
Hospitalization came two days prior to Mr. Cooper's planned departure for an extended vacation in California and a visit with his grandchildren.
General poor condition of the ex-mayor's health from these earlier problems was a factor contributing to Mr. Cooper's worsening late Wednesday, medical authorities at Memorial believed.
News of the ex-mayor's death sped through city hall, bringing with it a depression of spirits. Mr. Cooper was extremely popular with his colleagues as councilman and mayor.
At Memorial Hospital, administrator Paplow issued a statement, "Lima Memorial Hospital has lost a good and dedicated friend, a member of the hospital family.
"During his more than 10 years of service on the board of trustees, Homer Cooper gave generously of his time and efforts to advance the cause of the hospital to the end that its patients might receive the best possible care.
"We shall miss him. We take consolation from the fact that his contributions live on as part of his legacy to the community and his fellow men."
Council President C. W. Bradford, saddened by the loss of his long-time friend and former fellow councilman, remarked, "Lima has lost a very wonderful citizen. He was the most dedicated mayor the city has seen. . . He was most sincere and did accomplish a lot of things other people didn't pay attention to.
"He picked up Lima and made it No. 1 more than anyone else," said Bradford.
The latest bout concerning his health was not the first time Mr. Cooper had been in a grim battle for life. Following surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., a year ago, Mr. Cooper hovered on the brink of death, but battled back to take over mayoralty of Lima. He succeeded William Nungester.
In November, 1953, successful in union politics at B-L-H Corp., holding the position of bargaining committee chairman and paid a salary by the plant itself to troubleshoot union problems, Mr. Cooper turned to municipal politics.
Running for the 5th Ward council seat, Mr. Cooper squeezed out a 50-vote victory over young, upcoming politician William Nungester. A year later Mr. Cooper was appointed president of city council, replacing Clyde Welty who had moved into the mayor's office.
Cooper twice was re-elected to council, his greatest victory coming in 1961 when he carried 75 of the city's 76 precincts in the race for council president.
Mr. Cooper was Lima's 56th mayor, taking office just over 35 years after he came to this community as a 21-year-old former Tennessee farm boy.
He was born the oldest of 12 children of a tenant farmer, just outside of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He picked cotton in the fields with his brothers and sisters, and rode six miles to school at Halls Hill in a covered wagon.
Mr. Cooper went into farming, but quit after a year and went to Detroit. Then he moved to Toledo where he was a punch press operator with the Willys Overland Co. Model changeover time saw Mr. Cooper laid off his job, and on July 8, 1929, he wandered into Lima. He didn't know a soul and had nothing but holes in his pockets.
Mr. Cooper secured employment at Lima State Hospital in the occupational therapy department. Eventually he became president of the employees' union.
Along came World War II, and in February, 1942, Mr. Cooper joined the war production effort at what is now Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corp.
The former mayor was noted as one who managed the city informally, preferring to quietly confer with department heads. Often he could be viewed in his first-floor office, feet propped on his secretary's desk and drawing on his ever-present pipe. Chuckling, joshing and drawling in good humor with reporters or anyone who cared to chat was a mark of Mr. Cooper.
Items which Mr. Cooper considered highlights of his career in municipal service included the West Market Street extension, the ambulance service contract and opposition of municipal incorporations in Bath and Shawnee Townships.
(published in The Lima News, Thursday, December 16, 1965)
Former Mayor Homer Cooper died at 10:45 a.m. today, two days after undergoing emergency surgery for severe abdominal difficulties arising last weekend.
The ex-mayor, who left office after 11 months as an appointee and after serving 11 years on city council, was 59.
A Memorial Hospital spokesman said a post mortem will be conducted to determine cause of death.
Condition of Mr. Cooper had worsened Wednesday afternoon. He hovered near death through the night and was treated in the hospital's intensive care unit.
Mayor Christian P. Morris, informed at his office 10 minutes after the death of his predecessor, commented later, "You know it's coming, but it still hurts when it happens." The mayor had been in his daily conference with reporters when news of the death came from hospital administrator John Paplow.
Mr. Cooper was admitted to Memorial Hospital late Sunday, suffering abdominal pains. Nature of the former mayor's latest illness was described as being in the nature of an intestinal blockage.
Complications arose late Wednesday and Mr. Cooper's condition changed from fair to very serious, related Sherwood Versteeg, hospital spokesman.
Surgery Monday was not specifically related to Mr. Cooper's previous ailments, which had placed him in poor health for the past several years. He suffered kidney, heart and respiratory problems.
Siferd's Westwood Chapel will be in charge of funeral arrangements.
Hospitalization came two days prior to Mr. Cooper's planned departure for an extended vacation in California and a visit with his grandchildren.
General poor condition of the ex-mayor's health from these earlier problems was a factor contributing to Mr. Cooper's worsening late Wednesday, medical authorities at Memorial believed.
News of the ex-mayor's death sped through city hall, bringing with it a depression of spirits. Mr. Cooper was extremely popular with his colleagues as councilman and mayor.
At Memorial Hospital, administrator Paplow issued a statement, "Lima Memorial Hospital has lost a good and dedicated friend, a member of the hospital family.
"During his more than 10 years of service on the board of trustees, Homer Cooper gave generously of his time and efforts to advance the cause of the hospital to the end that its patients might receive the best possible care.
"We shall miss him. We take consolation from the fact that his contributions live on as part of his legacy to the community and his fellow men."
Council President C. W. Bradford, saddened by the loss of his long-time friend and former fellow councilman, remarked, "Lima has lost a very wonderful citizen. He was the most dedicated mayor the city has seen. . . He was most sincere and did accomplish a lot of things other people didn't pay attention to.
"He picked up Lima and made it No. 1 more than anyone else," said Bradford.
The latest bout concerning his health was not the first time Mr. Cooper had been in a grim battle for life. Following surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., a year ago, Mr. Cooper hovered on the brink of death, but battled back to take over mayoralty of Lima. He succeeded William Nungester.
In November, 1953, successful in union politics at B-L-H Corp., holding the position of bargaining committee chairman and paid a salary by the plant itself to troubleshoot union problems, Mr. Cooper turned to municipal politics.
Running for the 5th Ward council seat, Mr. Cooper squeezed out a 50-vote victory over young, upcoming politician William Nungester. A year later Mr. Cooper was appointed president of city council, replacing Clyde Welty who had moved into the mayor's office.
Cooper twice was re-elected to council, his greatest victory coming in 1961 when he carried 75 of the city's 76 precincts in the race for council president.
Mr. Cooper was Lima's 56th mayor, taking office just over 35 years after he came to this community as a 21-year-old former Tennessee farm boy.
He was born the oldest of 12 children of a tenant farmer, just outside of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He picked cotton in the fields with his brothers and sisters, and rode six miles to school at Halls Hill in a covered wagon.
Mr. Cooper went into farming, but quit after a year and went to Detroit. Then he moved to Toledo where he was a punch press operator with the Willys Overland Co. Model changeover time saw Mr. Cooper laid off his job, and on July 8, 1929, he wandered into Lima. He didn't know a soul and had nothing but holes in his pockets.
Mr. Cooper secured employment at Lima State Hospital in the occupational therapy department. Eventually he became president of the employees' union.
Along came World War II, and in February, 1942, Mr. Cooper joined the war production effort at what is now Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corp.
The former mayor was noted as one who managed the city informally, preferring to quietly confer with department heads. Often he could be viewed in his first-floor office, feet propped on his secretary's desk and drawing on his ever-present pipe. Chuckling, joshing and drawling in good humor with reporters or anyone who cared to chat was a mark of Mr. Cooper.
Items which Mr. Cooper considered highlights of his career in municipal service included the West Market Street extension, the ambulance service contract and opposition of municipal incorporations in Bath and Shawnee Townships.
(published in The Lima News, Thursday, December 16, 1965)
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