Obituaries

James Theodore "Ted" Cooper

James Theodore “Ted” Cooper, 83, of La Porte, Indiana passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020.

 

Ted was born on March 29, 1937, in La Porte, Indiana to William and Frances (Bogenski) Cooper.

 

He was the owner of Community Motors in La Porte and had also owned a Rental Car business and Asphalt business.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church for 60 years, where he volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and Commentator for 49 years. He was a past president of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry of St. Joseph Parish.

 

Ted served his country in the United States Air Force, where he was a certified weather observer and hurricane chaser.

 

After serving in the military, he met and married Rita L. Pedavodi on April 2, 1960. Ted leaves behind his wife, Rita; children, Michael B. (Michelle) Cooper of Plano, Texas, Kathleen Nagel of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Marie Taylor of Zionsville, Indiana, Christopher A. Cooper of Wilmette, Illinois; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Shirley (Jerry) Zoborosky of La Porte. A sister, Judith Atwood preceded him in death.

 

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 109 C. Street, La Porte, Indiana 46350. Reverend Nate Edquist will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery in Valparaiso, Indiana.

 

The Funeral Mass may be viewed live at https://www.facebook.com/esslingchapel 

 

The video will also be archived on our Facebook page to be viewed at your convenience.

Memorial contributions may be made to The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry of St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph Parish, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

 

Please share prayers, condolences, and memories with the family at Essling Funeral Home.com.

 

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