NEW BERLIN – L. Ansel Cooley, 91, passed away at the Presbyterian Home, High Point, N.C., on Aug. 5, 2006. He was born in Morris on June 2, 1915, the son of Willis J. Cooley and Phoebe Everett Cooley.
Ansel graduated from high school in Mt. Upton and took courses associated with agriculture at Cornell University. He worked for Sheffield Farms and Sealtest Foods, first as a plant manager and then as an inspector. He was transferred to Pennsylvania in 1964 and continued to work doing inspections until early retirement in 1970. He worked for a brief time for Northeast Dairy Cooperative before being employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as a Sanitarian doing inspections of dairy processing plants until his retirement in 1983. He served on the Pennsylvania Board of Optometry for several years after he retired.
He is a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Centre Hall, Pa., member and Past Master of Phoebus Masonic Lodge F&AM, No. 82, New Berlin, Life Member and Past Patron of O.E.S. Chapter #207 in Centre Hall, Pa. and was a past president of Rotary in New Berlin. He will be remembered in the New Berlin area for his singing in the shows presented by the Rotary for several years. He also served as Mayor of New Berlin.
After being re-located to Pennsylvania, Ansel lived in Centre Hall, Pa. for 39 years before moving to the Presbyterian Home in High Point, N.C. He enjoyed spending winters in Spring Hill, Fla. for nine years. He enjoyed his travels to many European countries as well as cruising through the Panama Canal, The Mediterranean, Eastern and Western Carribean and Alaska. He also enjoyed gardening, singing, making wine, family gatherings and playing cards with friends.
Ansel was married to Julia Houk Smith, June 1, 1061. She survives in High Point, N.C. He is also survived by one daughter, Jacqueline Dunklebarger and husband, Michael in Graham, N.C.; Grandchildren, Jonathan Bankert and wife, Elinor of Hanover, Pa., Jeremy Dunklebarger of Brooklyn, Janine Dunklebarger of Manteo, N.C. and Jason Dunklebarger and wife, Gina, of Palmyra, Va.; one great-grandchild, Spencer Michael of Palmyra, Va.; one step-granddaughter, Katherine & her husband, Bill Mankinson and their great-goddaughter, Caitlin Mankinson of Vestal.
He was predeceased by one brother, Floyd of Norwich.
Cumby Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements in High Point, N.C. and there will be a memorial service at the Dakin Funeral Home, New Berlin on Wednesday at 2 p.m. The Rev. Mark Thall will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, 251 Post Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, Calif. 94108 or to a charity of choice.