James Edward Cooper, 72, formerly of New Bremen, died July 28, 2009, at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.

He was born Jan. 2, 1937, in New Bremen to Robert A. and Catherine Tangeman Cooper. He married Janet "Becky" Westerbeck, who survives in Ponca City, Okla.

Other survivors are four daughters, Laura (Jeff) Hobler, New Knoxville, Ellen (Kenneth) Nowlin, Olympia, Wash., Eileen (David) Imwalle, Tulsa, Okla., and Lynda Cooper, New Bremen; a son, Robert Cooper, Tulsa; and two sisters, Anna Mae (James) Hudson, New Bremen, and Marlene (Dennis) Lammers, New Knoxville.

Deceased are his parents and a stepfather, Albert Knost.

He served as chief of police for the village of New Bremen from 1958 to 1972. Following his police duty, he owned and operated a construction business from 1972 until 1981. He then moved to Ponca City and continued his construction business until his retirement in 1999. He was a member of Woodlands Christian Church in Oklahoma and a former member of St. Peter's Church, New Bremen. He was a 1955 graduate of New Bremen High School.

Services are 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Peter's Church, New Bremen, the Rev. Stephen Wills officiating. Private family burial is at the German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.

Calling is 47 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Contributions can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Condolences may be left at www.millerfuneralhomes.net.

Arrangements are being handled by Miller Funeral Homes, St. Marys.