Final Salute

Cooper, Duane Robert
11/19/1929 – 12/27/2023
Petoskey
Duane Robert Cooper, 94, of Petoskey (formerly Birch Run and Pellston) died peacefully on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital with family members by his side. Duane was born in Birch Run, Michigan, on November 19, 1929, to the late Frank and Gertrude (Sproul) Cooper. He graduated from Clio High School, then served in the U.S. Navy Seabees from 1948-1952 and was a member of the VFW Post 2725 in Frankenmuth. He worked for the State of Michigan DNR and Department of Corrections, where he retired in 1986. He loved spending time outdoors, walking, gardening, and bird watching, and enjoyed Sudoku puzzles and Bingo. He was also very interested in family genealogy. A favorite pastime was watching Detroit Tigers baseball and Lions football – a loyal fan until the end. He was also a past coach and assistant coach for Pellston High School baseball and was a Little League umpire. In his younger years he played baseball and football and made All-County (Genesee) for Clio High School football. He served on the Pellston Village Council and was especially involved in recreation at Pellston Pioneer Park. Duane loved his family and will be forever loved and missed by all. Duane is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joan (Witkop) Cooper; his children: Susan Drier, Michael (Monica) Cooper; Steven (Peggy) Cooper, Brenda (Mark) Thompson, and Mary (Jim) McCarry; grandchildren: Karl (Sky) Cooper, Steffi Cooper, Kevin (Micayla Downey) Thompson, Tori (Jeff Hills) Thompson, Eric Thompson, Taylor Thompson, Bethany McCarry, and Paige (Ray) Gonzalez; great grandchildren Myles Gonzalez, Sam Gonzalez, and Cyrus Cooper; siblings: Wanda (Clinton) Peters and Beverly (Chris) Morris; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by siblings Don Cooper, Bob Cooper, Doris Nichols, Vivian Verran, and Gladys Fawcett, and son-in-law Jeff Drier. The family has chosen a private memorial but asks that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Those wishing to make a charitable donation in his memory are asked to consider the Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Frankenmuth Post 2725, PO Box 124, Frankenmuth, MI 48734 or online at vfw.org. In lieu of a donation, consider treating yourself to a delicious Long John at Duane’s favorite bakery, Johan’s of Petoskey, in his memory. On behalf of the Cooper Family, we would like to extend a special thank you to nurses Dominick, Roxanne, and Kim at McLaren Northern Michigan for the kindness and loving care so freely given. Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home.