Bryan Douglas Cooley

Bryan Douglas Cooley, age 63, of Anderson, IN passed away on December 6, 2020. Born in Odin, IL on October 26, 1957, he was the son of Lawrence Cooley and Joan Taylor.

He discovered his three life-long loves at an early age: riding on two wheels, playing music, and Christ. Those three elements remained a constant source of joy, comfort, and vitality throughout his life. Even though Bryan worked faithfully for the US Postal Service until retirement, he was a true renaissance man, with a wide variety of interests and side-hustles to keep him busy, which often involved the reinvigorating and reselling of someone’s neglected treasure. Bryan had a joke for every situation, and even though they were very often answered with a mix of groans and head shakes, always eager to keep everyone smiling, he would not relent until he got the laugh. Bryan didn’t let his years define his age and was still the biggest kid up to the end. He loved being outdoors with his wife, taking frequent trips with her to camp, hike, boat, and mountain bike all over Indiana. He loved a good deal, always looking for a way to save a buck or earn two more. He loved his family, always making time for trips to see relatives for a good meal and a good laugh. And he loved the Lord, spending much of his time in prayer, reading scripture, and service to the church.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Debra Cooley; his mother, Joan Taylor of Olney, IL; his brother, Bradley Cooley of Olney, IL; his sister, Brenda Ellis of Centralia, IL; two daughters, Carisa (Aaron) Polston of Lancaster, IL and Rachel (Josh) Kramer of Olney, IL; two sons, Michael (Celia) Cooley of Centralia, IL and Nathan (Betsy) Cooley of Indianapolis, IN; 12 grandchildren, Eva, Griffin, Birdie, Boston, Brinkley, Jackson, Declan, Copelyn, Noelle, George, Edward, and Josephine; step-children Sarah Sanders, Joshua Sanders, Lindsay Sanders, and beloved granddaughter Amaya; Uncle Marvin Lee Mettscher.

He is preceded in death by both sets of grandparents Homer Cooley and Pettie Hines, and Henry George Mettscher and Pearl Cora (Clark) Mettscher; Father Lawrence Cooley and stepfather Edwin Lewis Taylor.

A Celebration of Life will be held at ITown Church, 12491 E 136^th St. Fishers, IN 46038. Date TBD