Karen Sue Cooper

Karen Sue (VanArsdall) Cooper, 86, passed peacefully from this world into the next, on Monday, August 10, 2026. Born in Terre Haute, IN, on March 17, 1940, Karen spent her formative years in Hymera and Farmersburg, IN. She was the daughter of Ralph and Doris VanArsdall, the only sibling of Larry VanArsdall, and the devoted niece of Ruth Allen, all of whom preceded her in death. Karen graduated as salutatorian from North Central High School in Sullivan County, Indiana. She continued her education at Indiana State University where she graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, which was followed by a master’s degree from Indiana State University and 37 and a half years of teaching, primarily third and first grade, at Jones Elementary School in Greencastle, IN. She retired in 2000.

She met the love of her life, Charles A. Cooper (who survives) of Greencastle, IN, in the fall of 1965. The two were wed on February 13, 1966, at Karen’s home church in Farmersburg, IN. At such time, Karen not only gained a husband, but three sons as well, Bruce, Kent, and Tony Cooper. In December 1970, she and Charles welcomed the birth of their daughter, Kimberly Sue (Cooper) Tesmer. In upholding their marital vows, Karen and Charles remained deeply devoted, faithful, and true to one another for more than sixty glorious years.

As the children grew, so did the family, with the addition of daughters-in-law Nicky Cooper (Bruce), Connie Cooper (Kent), Louanne Cooper (Tony) and son-in-law Tim Tesmer (Kimberly), as well as grandchildren Elizabeth Cooper (who preceded her in death), Erika Cooper, Sean Columbia, Adam O’Hair, Scott O’Hair, Chad O’Hair, Clint Cooper, Stuart Cooper, Perry Cooper, Emeline Tesmer, and Austin Baggett along with several great grandchildren.

Karen was a woman of tremendous kindness, generosity, and grace who delighted in her husband, her family, and her church, Putnamville Church of Faith. She realized profound joy in nature’s quiet moments amidst flowers, birds, cats, horses, and the many deer, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, possums, groundhogs, and even toads who called her property home over the years. Moreover, she had a special affection for her pugs, Timmy, Joey, Zoey, and Baby (who survives).

Perhaps Karen’s most notable quality was her deep abiding Christian faith. She enjoyed the blessed assurance that comes exclusively through genuine faith in Jesus Christ. It is because of this devout faith that her journey is not at an end but, perhaps, at its beginning.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 15 at the Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 14th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Karen to the Putnamville Church of Faith.