Evelyn J. Cooper

Evelyn J. Cooper

November 6, 1943 – August 1, 2026

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Evelyn enjoyed numerous arts and crafts, as well as working with her flowers and blackberry patch in her yard.

Evelyn J. (Pitstick) Cooper age 82, of West Lafayette (Montmorenci) passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, following a brave battle with cancer, with her loving family by her side.

Evelyn was born to Lawrence and Audrey (Lohr) Pitstick and grew up on the family farm in Remington. A graduate of Remington High School, she lived in the Newton County area until 1990. She then resided in Kokomo, Indiana from 1990 until 2009. In 2009, she moved to Montmorenci to be closer to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She served as Director of Newton County Aging & Community Service from 1979 to 1990. While living in Kokomo, she was a Prudential Agent from 1990 until health reasons led to an early retirement.

Evelyn enjoyed numerous arts and crafts, as well as working with her flowers and blackberry patch in her yard. She possessed a remarkable green thumb. She especially loved getting “starts” of plants from others and propagating her own to share with family and friends. She was proud of her beautiful yard and numerous house plants, many of which she started decades ago.

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She especially loved getting “starts” of plants from others and propagating her own to share with family and friends.

Above all, Evelyn’s greatest accomplishment was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought great joy and meaning to her life. She loved large family gatherings that brought multiple generations together. At her home, she adored her four cats that brought her many hours of companionship.

She is survived by her children, Julie (Mike) Paxton of Oxford, IN, Sara (Brad) Bishop of West Lafayette, IN, and Benjamin (Theresa) Strole of LaPorte, IN. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ethan Paxton, Jocelyn (Brandon) McCombs, Mason (Kendall) Bishop, Cade (Lexie) Bishop, Marleigh (Samuel Gerber) Bishop, Patrick Bishop, Jake Bishop, Lucy Bishop, Maggie Bishop, Charlotte Bishop, and Willow Strole; her great-grandchildren, Adalyn, Hudson and Owen Knobloch, and Wyatt and Everleigh Bishop; and her siblings, Linda (Tom) Templin, Nancy (late Brad) Grenard, Barbara (Jim) Jewell, Richard (Mary) Pitstick, Rodney (late Sandra) Pitstick and Sharon Pitstick. Additionally, she is survived by multiple nieces and nephews.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her son, Trooper Todd Burman; her grandson, Nicholas Strole; and her parents, Lawrence and Audrey Pitstick.

Services will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Oxford, IN. Visitation will take place from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Private burial services will be held at a later date.

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Above all, Evelyn’s greatest accomplishment was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought great joy and meaning to her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Evelyn’s name to any local pet shelter to support their spay-neuter programs.