BLOOMINGTON – Michael “Mike” Scott Cooper, 51, Stevensville, Mich., died June 17, 2014, after a short battle with stage four kidney cancer. He was born April 4, 1963, in Warsaw, to Thomas Cooper, Warsaw, and Ivaetta McCammon, Bloomington, who both survive. He attended Plymouth High School and graduated from Whitko High School, South Whitley, in 1981, where he excelled in both baseball and football. He graduated in 1986 with a bachelor of science degree from Ball State University, Muncie. He was an active member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He later became successful in sales and marketing. He was a popular motivational speaker for high school and college students. He was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Notre Dame football and Indiana University basketball. He was an avid runner which included multiple completions of the Indianapolis Mini Marathon and the Chicago Marathon. Later in life, he discovered he had quite a green thumb. Also surviving are stepparents Judy Cooper and Harry McCammon; a daughter, Megan Cooper, Decatur, Ill.; a granddaughter, Jordyn Black, Decatur, Ill.; two brothers, Kurt Cooper, Tell City, and Chuck Criswell, Tucson, Ariz.; a sister, Kelly Wischmeier, Excelsior, Minn.; two stepbrothers, Carl Murray, Fort Wayne, and Ryan McCammon, Ann Arbor, Mich.; a stepsister, Rachelle Patrick, Columbia City; and his long-time girlfriend, Cindy Cross, Forsyth, Ill. A benefit will be held in his honor at his favorite local hangout, Coach’s Bar and Grill, Stevensville, Mich., Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Coach’s is offering 100 percent of the tips and 30 percent of sales in his honor. There will also be several silent auction items. His family and friends are also invited to a cookout for his Celebration of Life at his mother’s house at 6925 W. Ison Road, Bloomington, June 29 at 1 p.m. Contact the family at coop4463@aol.com Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services. ***** Condolences may be sent via starks-menchinger.com
