Shirley Cooke

Shirley Judith West Eitner Cooke, 73, of Waynesburg, Pa. died at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2011 in her home. Mrs. Cooke had been in failing health for the past several years but her death was unexpected.She was born February 1, 1938 in Akron, Ohio a daughter of the late Herman Darcy West and Mary Verna Zuver West Eitner and was raised by her late step father, Karl "PaPa" Eitner.Mrs. Cooke was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Washington and with her late husband aided in establishing the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Wayneburg.She and her late husband were the co-founders and operators of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Community Service Center in Waynesburg.Mrs. Cooke was a volunteer with the American Cancer Society for several years after being a 41 year survivor of breast and lymphoma cancer.She established a support group for grieving widows following the death of her husband and was also a certified mid-wife.Mrs. Cooke was a 1956 graduate of Central High School in Akron, Ohio.On January 4, 1959 she married John Wesley "Jack" Cooke who died January 25, 2002.Surviving are two daughters, Verna, wife of Doug Rishell of Waynesburg and Mary, wife of Jim Iams of Amity; a son, Karl C. "Casey", husband of Katie Cooke of Rogersville; eight grandchildren, Contessa Iams-Lepley, Josh Iams, Tim Walton, Jamie and Kayla Hoy, Tristan Cooke, Emily and Jessie Cooke; one great grandson, Zachary Outcalt; two sisters, Darcina, wife of Donald Hale of Chatanooga, TN. and Susan West of Spokane, WA.; two brothers, William, husband of Bonnie Eitner of Vermilion, Ohio and Robert Eitner of Lake Wales, FL.Deceased in addition to her parents, step father and husband are three sisters, Mary Burkett, Sally Crago and Alberta Moore; four brothers, Dave, Karl, Fred and Chub Eitner.The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the local American Cancer Society.