Bonnie Elnora Cooper (née Underhill), 82, of Vincennes, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025. She was born on March 18, 1942, in Uniontown, Indiana, to Thomas Edison Underhill and Mildred Marie Underhill (née Speedy). Bonnie was married to the love of her life, Ralph “Sonny” Cooper Jr., for 50 years until his passing in 2014.
Bonnie graduated from Washington High School in 1960. She worked as a keypunch card operator at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis and later on the production line at Reynolds in Vincennes. For 31 years, she helped run Cooper’s Bait and Tackle. She also earned nursing certifications and dedicated herself as a full-time caregiver to her son, Jeffrey Cooper, who had cerebral palsy. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Bonnie was an exceptional homemaker who cherished her family.
Bonnie will be remembered as a passionate advocate for the disabled and underprivileged, devoting her life to the well-being of her loved ones, especially her son Jeffrey.
Bonnie is survived by her son, Dwayne (Brenda) Cooper of Marion, Indiana; five grandchildren: Nathan Cooper, Kaylyn Cooper, Cassandra Cooper, Sean (Tailor) Cooper, and Jonathan Cooper; her daughter-in-law, Gisela Cooper; and seven great-grandchildren: Neveah, Dayton, Novalee, Alex,Liam, Addie, and Declan, with Hailey expected to arrive soon. She is also survived by two sisters, Joyce Fitzgerald and Phyllis “Judy” Hoggatt; and her brother-in-law, John Cooper.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sons, Andrew and Jeffrey; her brothers, Chris Underhill, Ed Underhill, Edsel Underhill, John Underhill, and Paul Underhill; and her sisters, Rose Lannon and Wanda Griffith.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Shriners Hospitals for Children at PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394, or on their website at: https://lovetotherescue.org/
Bonnie will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery in Vincennes, Indiana, at a private service. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in the Vincennes area at a later date.
