Gerald Edwin Cooper, 57, of Portland, died early Monday morning, July 16th, 2012 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was born January 5th, 1955 in Muncie, IN and is the son of Audrey Beatrice (Perkins) Cooper and the late Verl Edwin Cooper. Gerald was a 24 year employee of Strick Trailer Manufacturing as a fabricator. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Eaton. He enjoyed fishing and playing the guitar and banjo. His favorite past-time was watching the Cincinnati Red''s play baseball. Gerald is survived by his mother Audrey Beatrice (Perkins) Cooper of Albany; one brother Edwin Howard (Anita) Cooper of Eaton; a niece Michelle (William) Schuhmacher of Muncie; a great-nephew Jacob Schuhmacher of Muncie. Funeral Services for Gerald will be held Thursday, July 19th, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Garden View Funeral Home, with Revs. Pete Powell and Amos Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Friends and Family may call Wednesday, July 18th, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions can be made to The American Cancer Society, with envelopes provided at the funeral home. The family wishes to extend a special thanks and appreciation to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital for the excellent care and compassion given to Gerald, especially Dr. Suifi F. Ibrahim. Online Condolences can be made at www. Gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com.