Obituary for Cheryl Cooper | November 27, 2024

Cheryl Bodily Cooper, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, passed away on November 27, 2024 after bravely battling health challenges for over sixteen years. She was born on July 28, 1945 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the daughter of Leon G. and Maryellen Minson Bodily. Cheryl was the third of four children, Gaylen, Donna and Regina. Her early years were marked by the love and care she showed her younger sister Regina, who had special needs, and she remained a devoted sister to Regina throughout her life.

Cheryl graduated from Pocatello High School in 1963. In her senior year, she met Craig Cooper, a handsome basketball player, and the two quickly fell in love. They were married on July 16, 1965 in the Idaho Falls Temple and together raised five children: Troy, Eric, Jenilyn, Jared and Kathryn. While Cheryl had long hoped for dark-haired, brown-eyed children, her children all had light blonde hair and blue or green eyes – features she loved just as much.

In 1988, Cheryl’s heart was blessed with the arrival of Takakazu “Taka” Hirose, a Japanese exchange student who was originally scheduled to stay for a year, but ended up staying for ten years and becoming a valued member of the family to this day. Cheryl poured love and care into Taka’s life, helping him with his schoolwork late into the night, just as she did for all her children. Her ability to love each child equally made each one feel uniquely valued and supported.

Cheryl and Craig built their home on Jessie Place in 1971, a home that Cheryl loved dearly and would live in for the rest of her life. Family meant everything to Cheryl and she loved being surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were a source of great joy and pride to all of them.

Cheryl’s strength, faith and love sustained her through all her challenges and she died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family. She leaves behind her forever companion Craig Cooper; children Troy (Ellen) Cooper, Jenilyn (Rob) Meredith, Jared (Katie) Cooper, Kathryn (Jerame) Teel and Takakazu (Kumi) Hirose; as well as 22 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Leon Bodily; her in-laws Ballard and Lotus Cooper, her son Eric Cooper, her son-in-law Jerame Teel, her grandson-in-law Myles Byers and her grandson Kade Cooper.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at the Lakeview LDS Church Building, 1440 Lakeview Dr., with a viewing on Friday, December 6, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. one hour prior Church service on Saturday. She will then be buried at Mountain View Cemetery next to her beloved son Eric.

Cheryl’s legacy of love, faith and devotion to her family will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. We will miss her very much, but never forget her.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello. Condolences to the family may be sent online at www.cornelisonfh.com
208-232-0542

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cheryl Cooper, please visit our flower shop.