ELKHART -- Gerolene E. Cooper, 73, of Elkhart, died at 10:45 a.m. Sunday (July 26, 2009) in Riverside Village.

She was born Jan. 21, 1936, in St. Louis, Mo., to Robert and Myrtle (Taylor) Mills. On Dec. 19, 1953, she married Kenneth L. Cooper in St. Louis.

He survives along with three sons, Ronald (Lynda) Cooper of Barnhart, Mo., Donald (Mary) Cooper of St. Charles, Mo., and Randy (Libby) Cooper of Alpharetta, Ga.; four daughters, Susan (Joey) Campanello, Judith Cooper and Tami (Gordie) Sherven Jr., all of Elkhart, and Penny (Chuck) Warfel of Caledonia, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Jerry (Shirley) Mills of Warren Robbins, Ga.; and two sisters, Shirley (Donald) King and Ophia Mills, both of Dupo, Ill.

One brother, William Mills, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Cooper was a homemaker and volunteered with the youth of the Salvation Army for many years teaching Sunday school and music. She was involved in the Girl Guards and enjoyed doing ceramics.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to Thursday's noon funeral service at the Salvation Army, 300 N. Main St., Elkhart. Retired Major Joyce Wakefield and Capt. Steven Woodard of the Salvation Army will officiate. Cremation will follow the service with burial at a later date at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Memorials may be given to the Salvation Army or the Harbour Light Hospice, 4330 Miami St., South Bend, IN 46614. Visit billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.