Jerry Cooper, 72, of Selma, passed away Monday, February 27, 2012 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital following a sudden illness.

Jerry was born February 3, 1940 in Muncie to the late Albert and Marie Cooper. He was a 1958 graduate of Muncie Central High School. He was a charter member of the Prairie Creek Boosters, The Muncie area Auto Body Shop Association, Muncie Elks Lodge, Muncie Moose Lodge, and was a current member of the Liberty Regional Waste District Board. Jerry owned and operated Cooper’s Body Shop for over 45 years and in 1990 he and his wife opened Classic Oak Furnishings in Selma which they operated until 2007. Jerry was a wrestling coach at Selma/Wapahani Schools for ten years. He was an avid golfer and loved life.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Sherri (Jordan) Cooper; three sons, Kevin Cooper (wife Karmen) of Bowling Green, KY; Jeff Cooper of Muncie, and Jay Wright of Muncie; three daughters, Jerrilyn Darnell (husband Steve) of Albany, Jodee Felton (fiancé Michael Haynes) of California, and Melissa Glidden (husband Terry) of Albany; a sister, Marlene Gray of Sparks, NV; a brother, Kenneth Cooper (wife Haggar) of Muncie; 9 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by two brothers, Jack and Bob Cooper; and a sister, Madonna Cline Webb.

A funeral service to celebrate Jerry’s life will be 1:00pm Friday, March 2, 2012 at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 W. Kilgore Ave, Muncie, with Pastor Jim Ballenger officiating.

Friends and family may gather to share and remember two hours prior to services from 11:00am to 1:00pm Friday at Elm Ridge Funeral Home.