The Rev. Dr. Mark Cooper, age 76, of Sandusky, Ohio, died April 14, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer. Mark was an honorably retired minister member of Maumee Valley Presbytery.
Mark was ordained by Donegal Presbytery in February 1982 after graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in 1979, and Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, Illinois, BA, 1973), and served Setauket Presbyterian Church in Setauket, L.I. New York as assistant pastor, Cedar Grove Presbyterian Church in East Earl, PA as pastor (1981-85), and Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church in McKeesport, PA. After a brief time in the private sector, Mark reentering ministry in 1996, coming to FPC Sandusky, Ohio, then St Paul Community Church in Homewood, IL. It was during this time Mark also completed a Doctor of Ministry degree from Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend IN (2004). He concluded his active ministry at Webster Presbyterian Church in Webster, Texas as pastor/head of staff, which largely served the NASA community. In 2012, he was honorably retired by New Covenant Presbytery.
In retirement, Mark’s abundant love for the church did not stop, serving FPC Odessa, Texas and Firelands Presbyterian Church in Port Clinton, Ohio (2015-2020) as Interim Pastor.
Throughout his career, Mark was not only an active presbyter, but someone who loved God’s people with abundance and God’s world with great wonder. A lifelong learner, he was a certified Biblical Storyteller and his creativity, intellect, humor, and wit was amplified by and flowed into the many and varied interests he had, including sailboats, aeronautics, especially hot air balloons, ultralights, and hang-gliding.
Mark is survived by his loving wife Jill, and children Andee, Zach, Brandon (Catherine), and Cameron (Stephanie) Cooper, Jennifer (Jeffrey) Carr, and Jeffrey (Kristina) Bundy, sister Diane (Cooper) Pruitt, 10 grandchildren, and many extended family members.
There will be a memorial service at Firelands Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Noon, with a celebration meal following in the fellowship hall.
Details can be found at the full obituary.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, says the Spirit. They will rest from their labors, and their deeds follow them.
Revelation 14:13
