Deanna J. Cooper

Deanna Jean (Hinshaw) Cooper, 85, of Westfield, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior late Tuesday evening, August 18, 2026, at Wellbrooke of Westfield Assisted Living, with her daughters, Denise and Debbie, by her side. She was born on August 19, 1940, daughter of the late Edith Wire Hinshaw and Max Eugene Hinshaw. The eldest of six children, Deanna was the first of fifty grandchildren born to Reverend Moses and Blanche Wire and the first to graduate from college, becoming a treasured role model for her younger siblings and cousins.

Born in Noblesville and raised in Carmel, Deanna graduated as salutatorian of Carmel High School’s Class of 1958. A 12-year 4-H member, she was the first recipient of the Hamilton County Home Economics Club Scholarship. Her 4-H experiences and her work with the Carmel Schools food service director inspired her to pursue dietetics. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Purdue University, graduating summa cum laude, and later completed a Master’s degree in Institutional Management.

Upon graduation from Purdue, Deanna worked for one year at the University of Michigan Hospital, focusing on metabolic research, before returning home to work as a dietitian at Riverview Hospital. Deanna wanted to give back to the county that had provided financial support for her Purdue education. It also gave her the opportunity to be home for the arrival of her new baby sister.

After one year at Riverview, Deanna began a fascinating career when she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to become the Southern Region Food Service Director for ARA, which held the food service contract for Cape Kennedy (Canaveral) in Cocoa Beach, Florida. She was called upon for special NASA events, including the Moon Shots, when the President and other visiting dignitaries were in attendance. Deanna had security clearance and prepared and served meals for President Lyndon Johnson, Vice President Spiro Agnew, Jack Benny, the Shah of Iran, the King and Queen of Belgium and Wernher von Braun, NASA Rocket Engineer. President Lyndon Johnson always requested Deanna and her homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Deanna eventually returned to Indiana to work at Community Hospital, where she served as Systems and Training Coordinator for eight years. She completed the requirements to become an RD, Registered Dietitian. While working at Community, the coffee machine sales representative set her up on a blind date with his best friend, LeRoy Cooper. Before long, they were married in 1971 and became the parents of two daughters, Denise and Debbie.

After earning her RD credentials, she started her own company, Peers & Associates, which she operated from her home for almost 40 years. She had two administrative assistants and 14 registered dietitians who managed the dietary needs of 45 long-term care facilities and two Indiana prisons. Deanna believed deeply in being involved and hands-on with her girls, even as she worked and ran her own company. Throughout their lives, she taught them how to be good citizens and wonderful mothers.

Deanna served on the original board of directors of the Westfield Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) and helped write its first bylaws. Although lifelong asthma had kept her from playing sports herself, she was determined to stay closely involved in her daughters’ lives. She studied soccer books, watched videos, and became a coach, continuing with the girls as they grew older. She eventually coached the Under-14 girls’ travel team. When one season left her short on players, Deanna found a creative solution: she chose especially stylish uniforms with matching jackets and convinced girls to join the team for the chance to wear them.

An “Icon of Fierce Love” was how one of Deanna’s nieces described her, and it was a perfect description. She loved deeply and gave abundantly. Her gift closet could have challenged any boutique. Every Christmas, she bought gifts for elderly residents in the long-term care facilities she served who had no family visiting them. She wanted to make certain that everyone had a gift to open on Christmas morning. Even into her 80s, Deanna was helping her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews study for exams. She was always a student and forever a teacher, counselor, and coach.

Deanna led a Bible study at Wellbrooke. She loved God with all her heart and soul and wanted everyone to know Jesus. She worried deeply about residents who had lost their faith or perhaps never had faith at all. Even as she was nearing the end of her life, she was determined to find someone who would step forward and continue leading her Bible study. Denise and Debbie helped find a new Bible study leader. When another resident agreed to take over, Deanna visibly relaxed, as though the last item on her list had been checked off.

Deanna will be remembered for her wisdom, strength, compassion for others, love of God, and fierce devotion to her family. Above all, she cherished her grandchildren, who brought her immeasurable joy, and she will always be remembered for her most amazing prime rib on Christmas Eve.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, LeRoy Cooper, her brother Gregory T Hinshaw, brother-in-law Ron Jackson, her parents and grandparents.

Left to Cherish her memory, Deanna is survived by her daughters, Denise LeeAnn (Todd) Harris, Debra Jean (Karey) Bredemeyer; Grandchildren Claire DeAnn Harris, Sylvia Kaylin (Blake) Edwards, Evelyn Ryan Harris, Emma Jean Bredemeyer, Emery Cooper Bredemeyer; Great Grandson Shepherd Todd Edwards; Siblings, Bill (Eileen) Hinshaw, Parker (Jean) Hinshaw, Jennifer (Alan) Arthur, Lori (Darrell) Boothroyd, In-laws Betty Jackson, Linda (Ron) Swan and numerous special nieces, nephews who she coached, counseled and loved.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at Prairie Waters Event Center, 4180 Westfield Road, Westfield, IN 46074. Burial will take place at Flanner Buchanan Hamilton Memorial Park.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the nursing staff at Wellbrooke of Westfield, Shelly who stayed with her until the end and the Select Hospice team for keeping Deanna comfortable during her final days. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Deanna Cooper Faith & Service Fund.