Debra Ann Cooper

Debra Ann Cooper, 61, of Meadville, died Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh following a short illness.

She was born October 27, 1953 in Meadville, a daughter of Wallace K. and Shirley H. Hughes Irwin.  She married William J. Cooper August 31, 1974 and he survives.

Debra was a 1971 graduate of Meadville High School and a graduate of the Crawford County Vocational Technical School cosmetology program.  She worked as a hair stylist in her earlier years and subsequently worked in food service at Allegheny College for almost 30 years.

Debra was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church.  She enjoyed sewing as a part of knitting into ministry at Wesbury United Methodist Community.  She also enjoyed camping with her grandsons, collecting Barbie dolls, baking, decorating various rooms of her home with different themed Christmas trees, and formerly enjoyed doing ceramics.  She was affectionate about her two beloved cats Punkie and Smokie Jo.

Survivors, in addition to her loving husband Bill of over 40 years, include a daughter, Kandi Burchett and her husband Russ of New Castle; a son, Jeremy Cooper and his partner Andy Malicki of Allegany State Park, Salamanca, NY; her parents, Wally and Shirley Irwin of Meadville; two grandsons, Noah and Ethan Burchett; two sisters, Sherree K. Yochum and her husband Rodney of Pleasantville and Susan Beck and her husband Steve of Titusville; two brothers, Jeffrey Irwin and his wife Memory of Meadville and Timothy Irwin and his wife Janet of Meadville; an uncle, Richard (Dick) Irwin of Meadville; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Rollin K. and Edna M. Irwin; maternal grandparents, John and Myrtle Hughes; two nephews, Terry K. and Kaden M. Yochum; and two aunts, Lois M. Eldred and Ruth Ellis.

Calling hour will be Saturday, June 20th from 2 to 3 p.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church, 140 Wadsworth Ave., Meadville where a memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Terry Brown officiating.

Memorials may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, c/o Elaine Burkholder, 17419 Round Top Rd., Meadville, PA 16335 or the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Rd., Meadville, PA 16335.

The arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville where memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net