James B. Cooper

East Palestine, OH - December 5, 2009 - James B. Cooper, 66, of 48867 Brushville Road, formerly of Zelienople, PA died Saturday morning at his home following a four year struggle with cancer.

Jim was born April 19, 1943 in Beaver Falls, PA, a son of the late Russell and Alice Hitchin Cooper and had lived here the past 5 years. He was a 1961 graduate of Freedom High School, Freedom, PA and served with the U. S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.

He was employed as a locomotive engineer, first with the Pennsylvania Railroad, which became Conrail, and retired from the Norfolk & Southern Railroad in Conway, PA with over 30 years service.

He was active in the Conway Sportsman's Club and was a life member of the Benjamin Firestone Post #290 American Legion, Columbiana and a life member of the Edward L. McGuckin Post # 4579 VFW of East Palestine. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge of East Palestine.

He is survived by his wife, the former Sharon Landsberger, whom he married July 4, 2003; four sons, J. Scott (Lori) Cooper of Las Vegas, NV, Shawn Cooper of Freedom, PA, Sheldon Cooper and Barry (Dawn) Cooper, both of Las Vegas, NV; two sisters, Connie (Harry) Patterson of Monaca, PA and Donna (Park) Giles of Potter Twp., PA; and ten grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home, East Palestine with Pastor Terry Brown officiating. Military honors will be accorded by Benjamin Firestone Post#290 of Columbiana. Burial will be in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Rochester, PA.

Friends may call at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009.

Memorial tributes may be directed to the American Cancer Society.