Alicia Lynn Cooper

Alicia Lynn Cooper, age 17, of New Philadelphia, received her total healing on Sunday, January 3, 2010, in Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, and now is resting in the arms of Jesus. Alicia was recently diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia. Born December 27, 1992, at Dover, Alicia is a daughter of James and Sandy Swiger Cooper of New Philadelphia. Alicia was home schooled and earned her diploma early in 2009. A young lady of many talents, she earned an honorable mention in a Writer Digest Nationwide essay contest Alicia loved music, and enjoyed playing the piano, drums, bass and recently taught herself to play acoustic guitar. An annual trip to Alive Fest was a much anticipated highlight of the season. Her favorite musical groups include Skillet and Rascall Flatts. Sports, especially hunting, driving, and following the Pittsburg Steelers were also favorite pastimes. Above all else, Alicia was a faithful servant of God. A member of the Christian Harbor Church at East Sparta, she volunteered countless hours at the Christian Harbor Food Pantry. Even during her illness, Alicia touched many lives through her illness. Many people gave their hearts to God, found faith, mended relationships and a prayer group had been formed in honor of her on Facebook with over 1, 300 members of the group page “I Am Praying For Alicia Cooper.”In addition to her parents, Alicia is survived by her sister and best friend Breanna Cooper, of the home, Marissa (Cory) Winkler of Sherrodsville, brothers; Mark (Kara) Cooper of Newcomerstown, Mike (Jamie) Cooper of Dover. She’ll be sadly missed by her niece, Kyra and nephews; Blayne, Landyn and Gavin, paternal grandparents; Jimmie and Ruth Cooper of Hephzibah, Georgia, maternal grandparents; Robert and Betty Swiger of New Milton, WV. Several aunts, uncles, cousins and her beloved pet dog, Koda, complete the family.Alicia is preceded in death by a maternal great-grandmother, Myrtle Alice Jones. Her family will receive friends Wednesday, January 6, from 2-4 and from 6-8 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastors John Boggs and Dave Stamper will lead a celebration of Alicia’s life Thursday morning at 10:30 in the funeral home’s chapel. Interment will follow in Sherrodsville Memory Gardens.Following the committal service, family and friends will gather for a luncheon in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alicia Cooper Benefit Fund in care of any Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union, or by mail at 119 Fillmore Avenue, Dover, OH 44622, or to the American Red Cross, 1451, 4th Street NW, New Philadelphia OH, 44663, in gratitude for the blood drive organized for the benefit of Alicia. Linn-Hert-Geib(330) 343-5506www.geibcares.com