Orpha Cooper
January 28, 1920 — January 25, 2013
In the morning hours of January 25th, Orpha Elizabeth Kleinfelter Cooper, 92 of Lebanon and Linden Village Assisted Living Home, passed from this world.
Surrounded by her loyal daughter Elaine Messersmith-Behney and grand-daughters Lori Messersmith and Kate Tshudy, Orpha peacefully succumbed to a four-month deterioration of her health at the Good Samaritan Health System.Orpha was the daughter of the late Raymond and Annie (Strite) Kleinfelter, and the wife of Carson S. Cooper, who preceded her in death by 16 years. She was born in the Chambers Hill area of Dauphin County on January 28, 1920. Orpha met Carson while the latter was working on the Kleinfelter family farm. It was nearly love at first sight, and the bond lasted for 56 years, up until the time of Carson''s passing. For 60 years, Orpha lived in the house that Carson built on East Pershing Avenue in Lebanon. In addition to her duties as a homemaker, Orpha explored careers in retail and manufacturing and enjoyed employment at Haaks'' Department Store in downtown Lebanon, Zweier''s Food Market, Diane Underwear factory and Dutchmiss sewing factory. For 74 years, Orpha was a member of Hebron United Methodist Church in Lebanon. During her free time, Orpha enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, playing pinochle, traveling and taking caravan camping trips. In her later years, Orpha developed a fondness for bingo, an activity she enjoyed at Linden Village with her grandson Paul, who would devote his free time to his great-grandmother''s extra-curricular activity. Orpha went to live at Linden Village in 2007, and quickly became a role model for the other residents with her exercise regiment, as well as her kindness and encouragement to others. Up until the deterioration of her health, Orpha would walk up to a mile a day.
Orpha was also preceded in death by sister Pauline Hetrick.In addition to Elaine, Lori and Kate, Orpha is survived by grand son-in-law David Tshudy, husband of Kate, great grand-children Paul Cooper Brandt, Regan Catherine Brandt, Luke Donald Tshudy, Ian Paul Tshudy and Fiona Elaine Tshudy, all of Lebanon.
A service honoring Orpha''s life will be conducted at Christman''s Funeral Home on Cumberland Street in Lebanon at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 2, 2013. A visitation will preceed the service at 10 a.m. The celebration will be officiated by Rev. Kristal Smith, and a gathering of family and friends will be held after the services.
If God, family and being true to oneself are important, than Orpha led a rewarding, joyful and fulfilling life.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hebron United Methodist Church, 5th Avenue and E. Walnut Streets, Lebanon, PA 17042.
Christman''s Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to serve the family with the arrangements.
www.christmansfuneralhome.com