Debra Renee Cooper, age 53 of Colon, went to be with the Lord on Sunday March 11, 2012. She was born in Three Rivers on July 29, 1958 the daughter of Fred and Evelyn (Dentler) Cooper. She graduated from Mendon High School in 1976. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Ft. Wayne Bible College and her Master's Degree from Western Michigan University. Debra was a schoolteacher and most of her teaching career was at Colon Elementary School, where she received the Golden Apple Award and chosen as Teacher of the Year. She was a member of the Crossroads Missionary Church where she taught Sunday school, was a Youth Sponsor, and Bible Quiz coach. She enjoyed time at the family cabin up north, fishing, cook-outs, and scrap-booking. She also enjoyed baking and decorating cakes on special occasions for family and friends.

Debra is survived by her father, Fred Cooper of Three Rivers; her sister, Gail (Phil) Kuhlman of Mendon; nephew, Kevin Kuhlman; niece, Ashley Kuhlman; aunts, Jean Ripoli of Battle Creek, Jayne Dentler of Lakeland, FL, Mildred Dentler of Kalamazoo; uncle, Max Cooper of Vicksburg; many cousins; and special friends, Frank and Anna Kime of Colon. She was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Cooper in 2008.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday March 16, 2012 at the Crossroads Missionary Church with Pastor Bryan Balasa officiating. Cremation will follow services with a private interment of ashes later in Parkville Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to the Crossroads Missionary Church Youth Program. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com