He was born Dec. 5, 1938, in Lynch, KY, to Mel and Eleanor (Boggs) Cooper.

Mr. Cooper built and repaired electronic equipment. He also worked at Kingsley Furniture and R&R Tool and Die until his retirement in 2001. Bill was a member of the United Steel Workers Union. He enjoyed CB radio and spending time with his grandchildren.

On Nov. 5, 1959, in Jonesville, VA, he married Joan Brown, who survives.

Also surviving are three children, Kathy (Robert) Perschke and Larry (Nancy) Cooper, both of Michigan City, IN, and Gary Cooper of LaPorte; three grandchildren, Tara (Andrew) Morse, Erik (Leslie) Perschke and Brittany Cooper; and six great-grandchildren, Emma, Blake, Alex, Abby, Leah and Grace.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, with Pastor Ernie Milton officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the service. Burial will take place at a later date in Swan Lake Cemetery, Michigan City.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, 247 W. Johnson Rd., LaPorte, IN, 46350.

Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.lakeviewfhc.com.

She was born Aug. 18, 1952, in Truman, Arkansas, to Edward and Mary (Nichols) Haynes.

Mrs. Krcilek worked for Alpha Baking in LaPorte and most recently as a greeter at Wal-Mart in Michigan City. She was a member of Bible Baptist Church in New Buffalo, MI. Mary loved reading, going to the movies, and most importantly loved her family. She and her first husband, Jan K. Berry, were instrumental in changing the way people on home health care were treated and bringing home their daughter, Christine. Every year at Christmas, along with her grandchildren, she donated stuffed animals to children who were hospitalized. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

On July 24, 1999, in LaPorte, she married Don W. Krcilek, who survives.

Also surviving are her mother, Mary Haynes of New Buffalo, MI; two children, Michele (Robert) Hickman of Hamlet, IN, and Keith (Malinda) Berry of LaPorte; four grandchildren, Kyle and Alec Hickman and Haley and Faith Berry; two sisters, Linda (Al) Edington of Westland, MI, and Vicki (Steve) Hayward of Georgetown, IL; and two brothers, Bruce (Cindy) Haynes of Finley, OH, and Danny (Debbie) Haynes of Greer, SC.

She was preceded in death by her father; her first husband, Jan K. Berry; and her daughter, Christine Berry.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at noon EST on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Bible Baptist Church, 7 East Clay St., New Buffalo, MI, with Pastor James Bouslog officiating. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. LaPorte time on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, and from 11 a.m. to noon EST at the church. Entombment will follow services in Swan Lake Cemetery, Michigan City, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, 247 W. Johnson Rd., LaPorte, IN 46350.

Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.lakeviewfhc.com.

One of the museum's vintage Valentines now on display.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

The LaPorte County Historical Society will host its first-ever Valentine’s Day Tea on Saturday, Feb. 11, in the meeting room of the museum. The tea will begin at 1 p.m. and is open to anyone wishing to experience a little elegance along with a little fun. This event is open to family members of all ages and is especially perfect to share with your child or grandchild, or for your child and her best pals, which may include dolls.

This event is appropriate for ages 6 and up. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Get out your nicest hat and your prettiest gloves and come and learn the history of Valentine’s Day, presented by County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz, while you share some cookies, finger sandwiches, lemonade and, of course, tea. A craft project will also be on the agenda.

Please reserve your spot at the table by calling 219-324-6767. The Valentine’s Day Tea is free, however regular museum admissions apply.

Please give advance notice of any food allergies.

While at the museum, don’t forget to visit the vintage Valentines on display in the period rooms. They will be on exhibit till the end of February.

The museum is located at 2405 Indiana Ave. in LaPorte. Its three floors include a recreated log cabin and 13 period rooms, the W.A. Jones Antique Firearms Collection, and the Kesling Automobile Collection of over 35 antique and classic cars. For more information, call (219) 324-6767 or visit www.laportecountyhistory.org.

Another vintage Valentine at the museum.

Also welcoming Austin is his 4-year-old big brother, Cai Lile, who is very excited to have the new baby and is very helpful. Also, grandparents Craig and Ruth Lile of Walkerton, and Carmen Vasquez and Victor Aguilar, both of LaPorte; great-grandparents, Joyce Lile of Hamlet, Bill Lile of Plymouth, Jim White of LaPorte, and Jim and Bonnie Robinson of LaPorte; and great-great-grandmother, Marie Hebiason of Plymouth. Aunts and uncles include Angela, Melissa and Theresa Lile, Viviana Ruiz, and Victor and Manny Aguilar.

Summa Cum Laude

12th grade: Christian (CJ) Allen, Valparaiso; Stephanie Alvarez, Chicago; Devon Carlson, Michigan City; Lena Carlson, Michiana Shores; John Lake, LaPorte; Shubhra Murarka, LaPorte; Alana Murray, Michigan City; Jingxin Xu, China

11th grade: Laima Augustaitis, New Buffalo, MI; Mary Catherine (Katie) Brown, Lakeside, MI; Margaret (Daisy) Costello, Chesterton; Lauren Dekker, LaPorte; Alexa Hicks, LaPorte; Seung-Jin (Jenny) Lee, Korea; Jiayuan (Nicholas) Liu, China; Lucas Tang, Portage; Andrew Yarger, South Bend

10th grade: Kelly Barr, LaPorte; Indré (Ruth) Hirt, LaPorte; Claire Jaffee, Michiana Shores; Jian (Penfie) Jiao, China; George Koehm, LaPorte; Emet Murillo, LaPorte; Neal Patel, Chesterton; Heather Rosenblum, LaPorte; Taylor Schaetzle, Michigan City; Isabella Schuster, LaPorte; Caroline Spikner, Benton Harbor, MI; Ida Vanderboegh, Michigan City; Marina Walinski, Rolling Prairie; Thomas Yemc, Long Beach

9th grade: Allison Coffeen, LaPorte; Conner Correira, Granger; Lydia Costello, Chesterton; Johanna Guentert, South Bend; Brittany Hicks, LaPorte; Ana Kleihege, LaPorte

Magna Cum Laude

12th grade: Matej Buovac, Croatia; Rapheal Davis, Fort Wayne; Despina Diveris, Valparaiso; Brooke Gardner, Portage; Margo Gaza, New Buffalo, MI; Kaleefah Henry, Canada; Jin-uk (Tim) Heo, Korea; Ava Karaitis, Union Pier, MI; Lincoln Kavinsky, Oak Park, IL; Emma Keiley, Rolling Prairie; William Kesling, LaPorte; Rebecca Kilcoyne, LaPorte; Ho Sang (Bruce) Lee, Korea; Anulé (Joy) Ndukwu, Chesterton; Saman Sardari, Iran; McKenna Sklut, Chesterton; Rebecca Stueck, Michigan City; Brian Tonino, River Forest, IL; Corwyn Zalcberg, Grand Beach, MI

11th grade: Brett Barnard, Michigan City; Dan Giancaspro, Union Pier, MI; Jenny Gronemeyer, Michigan City; Dai-Lin (Ivan) Hsieh, Taiwan; Xu Hao (Sammy) Huang, China; Jacquelyn Jacobs, New Carlisle; Madison Kemper, New Buffalo, MI; Kathryn Knight, Beverly Shores; Hyun-Jong (Danny) Lee, Korea; Mollie Levin, Portage; Haoyan (Rocky) Li, China; Sydney Locklear, LaPorte; Ashley Neil, LaPorte; Madison Newbanks, Michigan City; Neathie Patel, Chesterton; Dustin Price, LaPorte; Brian Roberts, Michigan City; Michael Spaeth, LaPorte

10th grade: Richard Cains, Michigan City; Justin Dekker, LaPorte; Cassidy Dye, LaPorte; Katarina McGuckin, Long Beach; Courtney Meyer, Michigan City; Daniel Mockaitis, Michigan City; Anna (Maggie) Murdoch, Glenview, IL

9th grade: Emily Beach, South Bend; Madison Bratton, New Carlisle; Lucas Conner, Michigan City; Madeline Fulton, South Bend; Livia Gazzolo, Harbert, MI; Daniel Goodman, LaPorte; Christopher Hohman, Rolling Prairie; Samuel Kamyszew, Chicago; Ian Miner, Ada, MI; Angela Mofield, LaPorte; Ikeadi Ndukwu, Chesterton; Sylvia Ogar, LaPorte; Noah Wennekes, Michigan City; Rowan Whalen, LaPorte; Yiqian (Michael) Wu, China; Jae Won (Eric) Yoo, Korea

Cum Laude

12th grade: Aaron Emmanuel, Canada; Regina Hurt, LaPorte; Jacqueline Lange, LaPorte; Marta Llor, Chicago; Randell Mashak, LaPorte; Jordan Ransone, Long Beach; Boyang Teng, China; Paul Uminski, Long Beach; Trevor Wennekes, Michigan City; Zachary Wisniewski, LaPorte

11th grade: Pascal Arteaga, Chesterton; Matthew Babcock, Michigan City; Todd (TJ) Coffeen, LaPorte; Jacqueline Davis, Rolling Prairie; Mallory Dumelle, Beverly Shores; Morgan Grimm, Rolling Prairie; Xinwei (Chris) Guo, China; Danielle Ivanovich, Chesterton; Matthew Jelinek, Flossmoor, IL; Morgan Kniola, Three Oaks, MI; Sarah (Irina) Kovach, New Carlisle; Haley Luck, LaPorte; Lisamarie Nappier, Chicago; Nicole Newell, Schererville; Broderick Yekel, Griffith

10th grade: Connor Anthony, Glenview, IL; Brian Caplice, Michigan City; Xiaoning (Cherry) Chen, China; Eryn Dietz, Michigan City; Cormac Gahan, South Haven, MI; Katherine Goble, Naperville, IL; Elise Jaffee, Michiana Shores; Jae Won Kwak, Korea; Patrick Lake, LaPorte; Alexandra Newton, Evergreen Park, IL; Shaun Perez, Valparaiso; Ian Scholl, LaPorte; Abigail Smith, Richland, MI

9th grade: Sara Jania, North Judson; Natalie Newell, Schererville; Bradley Nygren, Michigan City; Anmol Sahi, Schererville; Samuel Sturtevant, Plymouth; Ka’Ron Wilson, Chicago

The Gail Walker Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of former board member Gail Walker, who died in 2008. The Leona Bruno Scholarship was created in memory of the first manager of Members Advantage Credit Union.

Scholarships will be given to candidates who demonstrate scholastic achievement, personal integrity, and who are involved in their community. For more information and to download applications, visit www.macuonline.org. Applications will also be available at the credit union’s Michigan City and Portage locations.

Applications will not be accepted via e-mail; they must be mailed in or dropped off. All walk-in applications must be received by March 31 and all mail-in applications must be postmarked by March 31.

Topics include:

– The importance of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle during pregnancy

– How to achieve a healthy pregnancy weight gain

– The danger of food-borne illness and tips to protect yourself during pregnancy

– The best methods for feeding the baby

– The consequences of smoking, drinking and drugs during pregnancy

The Have a Healthy Baby program is a research-based curriculum taught by trained, caring educators across Indiana. In LaPorte County, Purdue Extension Educator Allison Goshorn and Program Assistant Jody Kutch will deliver nutrition education to bring about lifestyle changes promoting a healthy pregnancy.

The program will take place on the following dates and at the following locations:

– The Bridge, Michigan City, on Tuesdays, Feb. 28 and March 6, from 3 to 5 p.m.

– State Street Community Church, LaPorte, on Tuesdays, March 13 and 27, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Registration is required. For more information, visit http://www.purdue.edu/momstogether, e-mail agoshorn@purdue.edu or call 219-324-9407.

The public is invited to this free concert. The program will include:

– LaPorte High School Wind Ensemble, Mickey Stisher, conductor: “Sun Dance” by Frank Ticheli, “The Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre, “American Civil War Fantasy” by Jerry Bilik

– LaPorte High School Symphonic Band, Charles Steck, conductor: “Four Episodes for Band” by John Morrissey, “Be Thou My Vision” by Larry Clark

– LaPorte High School Concert Band, Charles Steck and Mickey Stisher, conductors: “All Glory Told” by James Swearingen, “Rhythm Machine” by Timothy Broege, “On the Edge of the Sword” by David Shaffer

READ LaPorte County Inc. is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout 2012 with special events, the first of which is a program — “What is Dyslexia?” — on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Formed in May 1987, READ was originally named LaPorte Literacy Coalition, but in 2003 changed its name. Since its beginnings, READ’s mission has been to increase reading, math and English skills in the community. Tutors receive training to teach these skills to children as well as adults. It is a nonprofit organization and offers free services.

This year READ’s 39 tutors are assisting 113 students. With the cooperation of LaPorte Community Schools, in 2012 a new program has been developed: Students from LaPorte High School are tutoring Hailmann and Lincoln elementary school students.

Feb. 4 — “What is Dyslexia?”

On Saturday, Feb. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the LaPorte County Public Library’s large meeting room, the Dyslexia Institute of Indiana will present this program.

Most people think dyslexia has something to do with seeing letters upside down and reading backwards. But that is not what it is. And 15-20 percent of our population has dyslexia.

Find out what dyslexia really is at this program. An expert from the Dyslexia Institute, located in Indianapolis, will lead an informative time for parents, teachers and anyone interested in finding out how this inherited learning difference affects not only reading, but the whole lives of the people who have it, as well as their loved ones. Information on diagnosing dyslexia and helping those diagnosed will be included.

There is no charge. Registration by e-mailing mhedge8@comcast.net is requested.

This event is sponsored by READ LaPorte County Inc. through a grant from the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County.

March 31 — tutor training session

On Saturday, March 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the library, a READ LaPorte County tutor training session will be held.

April 25 — Business After Hours

On Wednesday, April 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., READ will join Business After Hours with the LaPorte Chamber of Commerce.

April 28 — tutor training session

On Saturday, April 28, another tutor training will be held at the library.

Other events

This winter, a literacy activity will be held at Boston Middle School. In the fall a Scrabble tournament will be held.

The public is encouraged to get involved in these activities. To be a tutor or to seek tutoring, contact director Mary Hedge of the LaPorte County Public Library at mhedge8@comcast.net.

READ LaPorte County events are funded by grants from the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County and Bethany Lutheran Church of LaPorte Foundation Inc.

Feb. 3, 1912 — Last night the mercury went to 20 degrees below zero in LaPorte.

Feb. 3, 1962 — Freight trains collide at Walkerton and four are hurt.

Feb. 3, 1987 — The LaPorte school system announces it has its first case of AIDS.

Feb. 3, 2002 — LaPorte crossings are still blocked after two trains crashed and created 10 blocks of trouble.