EAST PALESTINE - James B. Cooper, 66, of 48867 Brushville Road, formerly of Zelienople, Pa. died Saturday morning at his home following a four-year struggle with cancer.

Jim was born April 19, 1943 in Beaver Falls, Pa., a son of the late Russell and Alice Hitchin Cooper and had lived here the past five years. He was a 1961 graduate of Freedom High School, Freedom, Pa. and served with the U. S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.

He was employed as a locomotive engineer, first with the Pennsylvania Railroad, which became Conrail, and retired from the Norfolk & Southern Railroad in Conway, Pa. with over 30 years service.

He was active in the Conway Sportsman's Club and was a life member of the Benjamin Firestone Post 290 American Legion, Columbiana and a life member of the Edward L. McGuckin Post 4579 V.F.W. of East Palestine. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge of East Palestine.

He is survived by his wife, the former Sharon Landsberger, whom he married July 4, 2003; four sons, J. Scott (Lori) Cooper, Sheldon Cooper and Barry (Dawn) Cooper, all of Las Vegas, Nev., and Shawn Cooper of Freedom, Pa.; two sisters, Connie (Harry) Patterson of Monaca, Pa. and Donna (Park) Giles of Potter Township, Pa.; and 10 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Van Dyke-SwaneyRettig Funeral Home, East Palestine, with Pastor Terry Brown officiating. Military honors will be accorded by Benjamin Firestone Post 290 of Columbiana. Burial will be in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Rochester, Pa.

Friends may call at the Van Dyke-Swaney-Rettig Funeral Home from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Memorial tributes may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Sign the register and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com

12/7/09