Robert E. Cooley, Sr.

Robert Edwin Cooley, Sr. passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 94. He was born on February 27, 1931, to the late Bertha Kinser and Carroll Cooley. His siblings are Mary Messer and Ray Brunnemer. In 1952 he married the love of his life Willie Mae (Towe) Cooley. Together they had five children. Suzzette (Bill) Carter, David Cooley, Robert (Laura) Cooley Jr, Donna (Dan) Graham and James (Donita) Cooley. Their family continued to grow with 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren. During his life Robert served in the U.S. Army Occupation Forces WWII as military police. He rode military trains transporting supplies to protect military and American citizens. After serving his country he then went to work for General Motors at Allison Plant 5 where he was a stock chaser. After working 40 years he retired in 1991. During his time at Allison, to help support his family he also worked at Richhart Pharmacy part-time. Robert was active in his church and community. He was on a committee of men that built the first baseball diamonds in Decatur Township. He coached his sons in little league baseball for 10 years. His greatest personal accomplishment was celebrating 71 years of marriage with his wife. They loved to fish, travel and spend time with their family. In the summer you would find him at Raccoon Lake where he loved teaching his grandchildren how to fish and drive his pontoon. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Willie Mae Cooley, his sister Mary Messer, a grandson David Cooley and a son in law William Carter. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, 4:00pm-7:00pm at Flanner Buchanan Decatur Township with the Funeral Service there on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 11:00am. Robert will be laid to rest at West Newton Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook and share your stories and memories with Robert’s family please go to www.flannerbuchanan.com