Daily Courier, 1920

In 1900, John was a farm laborer and teamster doing general hauling. During World War I, when he registered for the draft at age 43, he was employed as a laborer for a company in Uniontown, Fayette County. Circa 1920, the family lived in East Connellsville. 

In March, the family celebrated the birth of its 11th child, Esther Elizabeth Kooser. A headline in the Connellsville Daily Courier trumpeted, "Nearing the Dozen Mark," and reported the following: "Mr. and Mrs. John D. Kooser of Connellsville are receiving congratulations upon the birth of an eight pound daughter, the third girl and 11th child in the family Monday morning. The other eight children, two being twins, are boys. Mrs. Kooser formerly was Miss Esther Ogle of Pennsville."

Daily Courier, 1920

Tragically, the celebration was all too premature. Esther's birth canal became infected, and she died of complications just five days later, on March 20, 1920, at the age of 44. Her worn out remains were laid to rest in Pennsville at the Pennsville Independent Cemetery. Rev. W.H. Hetrick, of the local Lutheran Church, presided over the funeral and burial. Her husband, the informant on her death certificate, listed her parents as "Wm. D. Ogle" and "Sarah Minerd."

Compounding the tragedy, now suffering from severe under-nourishment known as "marasmus," baby Esther also died, with a month, on April 17, 1920. Rev. Hetrick again was called upon to conduct the funeral, with the baby buried beside the mother, and the news reported on the front page of the Daily Courier. John was thus left with a family of nine motherless children to raise. 

The Koosers' grave, Pennsville

After a period of seven years, John married again, to Amelia T. Foreman (1874- ? ), a native West Virginian whom he had known for several years. The wedding took place on June 30, 1927.

Just a few years prior to the second marriage, in 1925, when the widowed John was residing in Moyer, Fayette County, he hosted a wedding supper for one of Amelia's relatives, Charles and Reva (Foreman) May, an event which Amelia attended.

The Koosers continued to live in Moyer following their wedding.

When the federal census was made in 1930, John worked for a foundry. Among his near neighbors in the 1930 census were cousins Howard and Phoebe (Thorpe) Workman of the Freed/Thorpe branch of our family.

He and the family were plunged into grief when son George was killed in an automobile accident early in the new year 1935.

John for many years suffered from heart disease and passed away at the age of 69 on Sept. 22, 1944, and is buried with Esther in the Pennsville Baptist Cemetery.

An annual Kooser Reunion has been held for years in Fayette County. The 2009 event was on July 25, 2009, at Shady Grove Park on Morgan Station Road, Lemont Furnace, near Uniontown.

~ Daughter Irene May (Kooser) Marthethe ~

Daughter Irene May Kooser (1900- ? ) was born in about 1900.

She wed David Martethe ( ? -1966).

The Martethes did not reproduce. They made a home in 1924 on Mulberry Street in Scottdale, PA.

They migrated to Ohio by 1935 and resided in Toledo. The pair relocated again in 1952 to Miami, Dade County, FL. David held a membership in the United Auto Workers and Congress of Industrial Organizations.

In 1955, Irene was elected secretary of the 17th Avenue Manor Improvement Association, in which David also was active. Within a few years she was named president of the organization.

Irene traveled back to Connellsville in July 1958 and is known to have been among 100 friends and relatives to attend the annual Kooser picnic and reunion. At the 1958 affair, held at Shady Grove Park, she received an award for "furthest traveled."

The couple's niece Juanita Kooser, daughter of Irene's brother Charles, came to live with them in Miami in 1959.

The Miami Herald cited her use of low suds detergent in a slow, short-cycle washing machine in the column "Readers' Exchange" in June 1962, written by Roberta Applegate.

Sadly, David died at the age of 71 on May 10, 1966. The remains were transported to Ohio for burial, and a death notice was published in the Herald.

She was quoted in a Jan. 31, 1971 Herald article about her volunteer work at a free clinic, held at St. John's Lutheran Church. She held the position of president of the congregation circa 1974.

~ Son Carl Ellsworth Kooser Sr. ~

Son Carl Ellsworth Kooser Sr. (1903-1965) was born in in 1903.

He married Mary Etta Manges (1903-1974), the daughter of John and Margaret (Friend) Manges. 

They bore a brood of six children -- William H. Kooser, James Robert Kooser, John Wesley Kooser, Margaret Alberta Easter, Evelyn Yauger Riley Belovarac and Carl Ellsworth Kooser Jr.

Federal census records for 1930 show the couple in Dunbar Township, and for 1940 in South Union Township, with Carl working at an enamel plant. Their residence was along Reservoir Road.

The Connellsville Daily Courier said that they resided in Brownfield, Fayette County, where Carl "was a member of the Hutchinson Sportsmen's Club and Union Local No. 66 of Uniontown. He was a retired grinder of the Richmond Radiator Co." They were active in the Manges family reunions over the years.  

Sadly, son John Wesley died at the age of two months on Jan. 8, 1935, having been born prematurely. His remains were lowered into repose in Percy Cemetery. As well, 13 years later, married daughter Margaret Alberta Easter passed away in 1948.

John and Mary hosted in June 1940 the first reunion of his parents' family. Reported the Connellsville Daily Courier, "Thirty-nine guests enjoyed a chicken and ham supper. Included were twenty grandchildren... This was the first time the family had all been together for a long time and a fine time was had."

On April 20, 1965, Carl died at home at the age of 62. He was laid to rest at Mountain View Memorial Park in Brownfield. At the time, said the Courier, he had 13 grandchildren who survived him. 

Mary outlived him by nine years. She died on Aug. 20, 1974.

Son William H. Kooser (1926- ? ) was born in about 1926 in Fayette County.

Son James Robert "Bob" Kooser (1927-2007) was born on July 30, 1927 in Little Brownfield, Fayette County. He married Bethel (Helmick) Nestor ( ? - ? ). She appears to have brought a son of her own to the marriage, Thomas Nestor. They lived in Uniontown and Brownfield and had four children -- James R. Kooser II, Ronald D. Kooser, Gary E. Kooser and Lori B. Geisler. During World War II, Bob served in the U.S. Navy. Later, he was a steelworker at the famed Homestead Works of the U.S. Steel Corporation. Bob wedded a second time to Elizabeth Smith ( ? -living). He passed away at home on New Year's Eve 2007. He was interred in Mountain View Memorial Park in Brownfield following graveside military rites. Elizabeth has remained in Brownfield in her widowed years.

• Grandson James R. Kooser Jr. ( ? - ? ) appears to have entered into marriage with Alice. He was deceased by 2018. She made her residence in 2022 in Oliver, PA.

• Grandson Ronald D. Kooser (1952-2018) was born on Aug. 16, 1952 in Uniontown. He wedded Carolyn Hunt ( ? -living). The couple established a home in Great Valley, NY, where Ronald was employed for 20 years as a supervisor with Fitzpatrick & Weller in Ellicottville, NY. They were the parents of two sons, Mark Kooser and Timothy Kooser. In his spare time, Ronald enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping, fishing and hunting. Sadly, they endured the death of their son Mark. Ronald died at the age of 66 at ECMC in Buffalo on Aug. 28, 2018. An obituary in the Salamanca Press noted that burial was in Green Cemetery. The widowed Carolyn was in Great Valley in 2022. 

• Grandson Gary E. Kooser (1959-2022) was born on July 12, 1959 in Uniontown. He wed Sherry McKay ( ? -living). They moved to Little Valley, Cattaraugus County, NY. He was the father of Andrew Kooser and Heather Kooser. In 1977, Gary became employed as a machinist by Fitzpatrick and Weller in Ellicottville, NY and remained there for the rest of his life. Said Chautauqua Today, he "enjoyed many sports, and besides being a fan of the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills, and Pittsburgh Steelers, he enjoyed playing in different area softball leagues in Cattaraugus, Salamanca and Springville, and was an avid pool player. He was a member of his pool league for 30 years and has many trophies and awards to show. Gary also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and just being outdoors, as well as fishing and hunting." Sadly, he surrendered to death in Buffalo General Hospital at the age of 62 on April 30, 2022.

• Granddaughter Lori Kooser ( ? -living) married Larry Geisler. They live in Connellsville, PA.

Daughter Margaret Alberta Kooser (1929-1948) was born on Jan. 20, 1929. She married Francis Kenneth Easter (Oct. 30, 1926-1986), a native of Masontown, Fayette County. They made a home at the Phillips Works of H.C. Frick Coke Company in Brownfield near Uniontown. Tragically, at the age of 19, while in delivery with her first child, she suffered seizures due to an acutely atrophied liver, and died on July 3, 1948. Interment was in Mountain View Cemetery. Francis outlived his wife by 38 years. On March 16, 1968, in nuptials held in Chesterton, Porter County, IN, he married again to Angeline Rose Motta (1915-2000). He died at the age of 60 in Babson Park, Polk County, FL on Dec. 13, 1986. His remains were shipped to Michigan City, LaPorte County, IN to rest in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens.

Daughter Evelyn R. Kooser (1930-2010) was married three times -- to James H. Yauger ( ? - ? ), William Riley ( ? - ? ) and Stephen Belovarac ( ? - ? ). She bore two sons -- Larry J. Yauger and Dan R. Yauger. She resided in the area of Erie, PA, for more than 35 years. Said the Uniontown Herald-Standard, "In years past, she was an active member of the Big Brownfield United Methodist Church where she had been a member of the church choir and had served as a long-time Sunday School teacher. She had more recently been a member of the McKean United Methodist church. Evelyn had been previously employed by the former Thrift Drug and had also worked at JC Penney where she was manager of the boy's department. She was a former member of the McKean Garden Club. She enjoyed camping, watching humming birds and playing piano." Evelyn passed away at age 79 on Feb. 2, 2010. Burial was in Edinboro Cemetery.

• Grandson Larry J. Yauger

• Grandson Dan R. Yauger

Son Carl Ellsworth Kooser Jr. (1938-2009) was born on Dec. 30, 1938 in Uniontown. He married Jadquelyn R. Baker (1939-1999). They were the parents of at least one daughter, Belinda J. Spiker. The family dwelled in Brownfield near Uniontown. He passed away at home on July 5, 2009. An obituary was published in the Uniontown Herald-Standard.

• Granddaughter Belinda J. Kooser (1963-1998) was born in 1963. She married Terry L. Spiker (1954- ? ). She died in 1998.

~ Son George Francis Kooser ~

Son George Francis Kooser (1906-1935) was born on March 14, 1906.

When he was 20 years of age, George was united in matrimony with 15-year-old Nellie Thomas (1911- ? ), a native of West Virginia.

The five children they produced together were Irene McElhaney Gerken, Georgetta Cornish, Edward Kooser, Edwin Kooser and Shirley Anne Brown.

Whhen the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, the Koosers lived in South Union Township, Fayette County. George earned a living as a laborer at an enamel plant, as did Nellie's brother Thomas Verner, who resided in the household that year.

In late 1934/early 1935, they made their home near the Brownfield airshaft on the Continental Road. He worked as a laborer for Richmond Radiator Company.

Sadly, he was killed in an automobile accident in the wee morning hours of Jan. 6, 1935, in nearby Point Marion. The attending physician noted that he had fractured the first cervical vertebrae. Funeral services were held in the Kooser residence and Pennsville Baptist Church, led by Rev. Dr. William H. Hetrick. Burial was in Pennsville Cemetery. An obituary appeared in the Uniontown Evening Standard.

Nellie lived on as a widow. Her home in 1940 was in Meadow Brook in South Union Township. With five mouths to feed, she had no occupation at that time.

Daughter Irene Kooser (1926-2013) was born in about 1926. She appears to have been married twice, first to (?) McElhaney ( ? - ? ). Her second husband was Wilbur Gerken ( ? - ? ). She was the mother of one son, David. Irene loved to play golf and was involved with the Land Harbor Ladies 18 Hole Golf Association and the Volunteer Avery Land Harbor Charity Golf Tournament. Her final years were spent in Newland, Avery County, NC, part of the Land Harbor community. There, she surrendered to the spectre of death at the age of 87 on Nov. 23, 2013. An obituary in the High Country (NC) Press said she was "a fun loving lady who enjoyed life."

Daughter Georgetta G. Kooser (1929-2000) was born on July 19, 1929. She wedded Gerald Richard Cornish Sr. (1924-2012), son of Lawrence Raymond and Mary Theresa (Dunlevy) Cornish of Uniontown, Fayette County, PA. Four sons born to this couple were Gerald "Jerry" Cornish Jr., Terry Cornish, Douglas Cornish and Jeffrey Cornish. Gerald was a veteran of the U.S. Army. They dwelled in Richmond, Jefferson County, OH. There, Gerald owned and operated his own business, Cornish Heating and Cooling. In his free time, he liked to bowl, play cards, golf and square dance. They attended the Catholic church. Death swept her away on July 10, 2000. Interment of the remains was in Fort Steuben Burial Estates in Wintersville, OH. Gerald endured as a widower for another dozen years. He passed away in Steubenville's Trinity Medical Center West, at age 88, on Dec. 18, 2012.

• Grandson Gerald "Jerry" Cornish Jr. resided in Toronto, OH in 2012.

• Grandson Terry Cornish was joined in wedlock with Luann. They have dwelled in Adena, OH.

• Grandson Douglas Cornish was united in matrimony with Carol. The couple established a home in Richmond.

• Grandson Jeffrey Cornish has lived in Wintersville, OH.

Son Edward Kooser (1932- ? ) was born in about 1932, a twin with his brother Edwin. He resided in Pennsylvania in 2013.

Son Edwin Kooser (1932- ? ) was born in about 1932, a twin with his brother Edward. Circa 2013, he was in Pennsylvania.

Daughter Shirley Anne Kooser (1935- ? ) was born in about 1935. She was united in marriage with (?) Brown. Circa 2013, she was in Ohio.

~ Daughter Isabel Balsley (Kooser) Davidson ~

Daughter Isabel Balsley Kooser (1908- ? ) was born in about 1908.

As a young woman, she was considered "a well known young woman of East Connellsville," said the Connellsville Daily Courier.

On June 21, 1924, Isabel slipped away to Cumberland, MD to wed Paul William Davidson ( ? - ? ), son of Thomas Davidson of East Connellsville. The next day, her married sister Irene Martethe, living in Scotdale, PA, hosted a wedding dinner at their home. "Covers were laid for eight," reported the Daily Courier. "The table centerpiece was of white roses."

The couple made their first home in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, PA, where Paul earned a living working in a packing house.

Their known children were Paul William Davidson Jr., Betty Mae Davidson and Louise Ann Davidson.

In 1935-1965, she and Paul lived in Toledo, Lucas County, OH. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1940, the family was on Champlain Street in Toledo, with Paul employed as a service manager for an automotive repair shop.

Isabel and her sons Paul and Thomas attended the 36th Kooser Reunion in July 1962, held at Shady Grove Park, with about 140 individuals attending.

Son Paul William Davidson Jr. (1927- ? ) was born on Nov. 29, 1927 in or near Uniontown, Fayette County. He grew up in Toledo, Lucas County, OH. On Sept. 7, 1946, in nuptials held in Lucas County, the 18-year-old Paul was joined in matrimony with 20-year-old Jean E. Schneider (June 20, 1926- ? ), daughter of Herbert H. and Frances (Rife) Schneider. Rev. Alfred Peters officiated.

Daughter Betty Mae Davidson (1932- ? ) was born in about 1932 in Ohio.

Daughter Louise Ann Davidson (1936- ? ) was born in about 1936 in Ohio.

~ Son John Henry Kooser ~

Son John Henry Kooser (1910-1960) was born on May 23, 1910 in East Connellsville, Fayette County.

He entered into holy marriage with Dorothy Wiles (1917- ? ).

Two daughters produced by the couple were Dolores Dunlap and Janet Veverka.

Circa 1940, residing in North Union Township near Uniontown, John made his wages operating shot fire dynamite in a stone quarry, employed by the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment during the Great Depression and is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings.

As the economy rebounded, John later earned a living over the decades as a machinist and coal miner at the Maxwell Mine. He belonged to the Maxwell Local of the United Mine Workers of America.

The couple's address was at 516 McCormick Avenue in Connellsville.

At the age of 49, having suffered for years from skin infections and liver problems, John was admitted to Uniontown Hospital. There, he succumbed on Jan. 8, 1960. Rev. Merlin Baker presided over the funeral. Burial was in the Baptist Cemetery in Pennsville, also known as Iron Bridge Baptist Cemetery. The Connellsville Daily Courier published an obituary.

Daughter Dolores Kooser (1935- ? ) was born in about 1935. She wedded (?) Dunlap. The pair lived in Honolulu in 1960.

Daughter Janet Kooser (1937- ? ) was born in about 1937. She was a member of the class of 1954 at South Union High School. Then as a young woman she relocated to Cleveland, securing employment with the Second Federal Savings and Loan Association. In about 1956, she was united in wedlock with Gilbert Anthony Veverka ( ? -2019). Gilbert was a 1953 alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. Then at the time of marriage, he earned a living in the office of United Screw and Bolt Corporation. The couple's four children were John Veverka, Judi Steidl, Joyce Foutz and James Veverka. Circa 1960, the couple was in Cleveland and remained for good. At some point Gilbert went to work for Kotecki Monuments. In his free time, he liked to bowl, play bingo, paint and swim. He died at the age of 87 on Jan. 16, 2019. In a Cleveland Plain Dealer obituary, the family asked that any memorial donations be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation or the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

• Grandson John Veverka was united in matrimony with Lisa.

• Granddaughter Judi Veverka was joined in wedlock with Lester Steidl.

• Granddaughter Joyce Veverka married Brian Foutz.

• Grandson James Veverka entered into marriage with Lisa.

~ Son Charles H. Kooser ~

Son Charles H. Kooser (1914- ? ) was born in about 1914.

He married Flossie Guseman ( ? - ? ).

They resided in Chalk Hill, Fayette County.

The Koosers had at least one daughter, Juanita Flo Martin Cowles. 

Daughter Juanita Flo Kooser (1940-2008) was born on Sept. 30, 1940 in Chalk Hill. In young womanhood, she was employed at the Titlow Shop. Circa 1959, she moved to Miami to live with her aunt and uncle, Irene and David Martethe. She eventually married Robert Martin of Connellsville in 1962 and had four children -- Michael Martin, Susanne DeBoever, Natalie Martin and Robert Martin. They relocated to Southern California, making their home in La Mirada. Juanita was employed by General Telephone Company until retirement. After her marriage ended, Juanita later wed Robert Cowles ( ? - ? ) in 1995. A newspaper said they spent their summers in Markleysburg. Juanita passed away in Markleysburg at the age of 67 on Oct. 7, 2008. She was laid to rest in Mt. View Cemetery in Brownfield, Fayette County.

• Grandson Michael Martin

• Granddaughter Susanne Martin DeBoever

• Granddaughter Natalie Martin

• Grandson Robert Martin

~ Son Frank E. Kooser ~

Son Frank E. Kooser (1916- ? ) was born in about 1916.

Circa 1935, he and his siblings George and Isabel made a home in Toledo, OH.

He married Elizabeth (1917- ? ).

Together, they produced a daughter, Margaret Ann Kooser.

United States Census records for 1940 show Frank working in Toledo as a truck driver for a box lunch business.

In June 1940, they traveled from Toledo to attend the first reunion of his parents' family, held at the home of his brother Carl. Reported the Connellsville Daily Courier, "Thirty-nine guests enjoyed a chicken and ham supper. Included were twenty grandchildren... This was the first time the family had all been together for a long time and a fine time was had."

Later, he appears to have returned to his hometown of Connellsville.

Daughter Margaret Ann Kooser (1936- ? ) was born in about 1936 in Ohio.

~ Son William DePew Bow Kooser ~

Son William DePew Bow Kooser (1918-1999) was born in 1918. 

He married Grace Elizabeth Roberts Miller (1922-1987), the daughter of Hazel (Roberts) Miller and stepdaughter of Thisel Miller.

William "was a lifelong resident of Connellsville and prior to his retirement he worked as a millwright for the Connellsville Mining Supply Co.," said the Daily Courier. "He was a member of the Connellsville American Legion and the Connellsville Moose Lodge." 

Burial site for many of the Koosers

The Koosers together produced a family of nine children -- William T. Kooser, Dale Richard Kooser, Franklin Albert Kooser Sr., Donald Blane Kooser Sr., Hazel Oldland, Barbara Pericho, Deborah Hough, Kimberly Welsh and Marcia Shroyer.

Their address circa 1970 was McCoy Road in Connellsville.

Sadly, Grace died in 1987.

William outlived her by 12 years, and passed away at the age of 81 on May 24, 1999. At the time, he was survived by 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was laid to rest at Green Ridge Memorial Park in Pennsville, near Connellsville. 

Son William T. Kooser (1940-2008) was born in 1940. He was married to Valerie J. Gallentine (Jan. 4, 1941-2014), originally from Connellsville and the daughter of Orville Glenn and Mabel (McGinnis) Gallentine. Together, the Koosers produced four children -- Cheryl Garlick, William G. Kooser, Thomas D. Kooser and Steven E. Kooser. Valerie was an alumna of Connellsville Joint High School. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, William "worked at the former Modulus Corp. in Mt. Pleasant for 20 years and then worked as a truck driver for Allegheny-Bedford Express. He then retired as a bus driver for Colborn Bus in Mill Run. Bill [was] a member of the Bullskin Township Lions Club, the Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the former Connellsville Jaycees." In her own right, Valerie "worked at Meidel's Restaurant and the Pleasant Valley Country Club and she retired from the Connellsville Senior Center, where she worked for 20 years. She was a lifetime member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church." Sadly, William passed away at age 68 on May 31, 2008, with burial at Green Ridge Memorial Park. Rev. Larry R. Hellein led the funeral service. Valerie survived her husband by six-and-a-half years. As a patient in Excela Health Frick Hospital, at the age of 73, she surrendered to the angel of death on Dec. 8, 2014. She was survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Rev. Andrew Spore led the funeral service, and an obituary was published in the Greensburg Tribune Review.

• Granddaughter Cheryl Lynn Kooser ( ? - ? ) married Arnold L. Garlick (March 5, 1959-2009), son of Charles M. and Beverly L. (Brower) Garlick of Connellsville. They stayed together for 27 years until the separation of death. Four offspring in this family were Arnold Garlick, Charles Garlick, Jessica Kroll and Elizabeth Garlick. Arnold was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He held a master's degree in business administration and technology management with aspirations of earning his doctorate until illness intervened. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, he "worked as a research chemist for Lawter International, in Northbrook, Ill., then in industrial waste water treatment for W.K. Merriman, in Coraopolis, and currently was working in mechanical maintenance for Horsehead Corp... He attended Chippewa United Methodist Church, was a member of Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove, Ill., American Chemical Society, United Steelworkers of America Local 8183, and enjoyed making jewelry." In 2008-2009, their home was in Enon Valley, Lawrence County, PA. Three known offspring were Arnold L. Garlick, Elizabeth M. Garlick and Charles A. Garlick. Grief cascaded over the family when, at the age of 50, Arnold died at home on May 11, 2009. His obituary was published in the Daily Courier. Leading the funeral service was their pastor, Rev. Rodney E. Smith. Cheryl moved back to Connellsville and in 2025 was a companion of Doug.

  Great-grandson Arnold Garlick married Kristen and relocated to Suffolk, VA.

  Great-grandson Charles Garlick made a home with his parents in Enon Valley in 2009.

  Great-granddaughter Jessica Garlick wed William Kroll Sr. The pair settled in New Castle, PA. One son born into this union is William Kroll Jr.

  Great-granddaughter Elizabeth Garlick lived with her parents in 2009 in Enon Valley.

• Grandson William G. Kooser ( ? - ? ) wed Susan R. ( ? - ? ). They dwelled in Wheeling, IL in 2008-2014 and in Wintersville, GA in 2025.

• Grandson Thomas D. Kooser ( ? - ? ) was joined in wedlock with Teresa ( ? - ? ). They were in Guam in 2008 -- Nashville, TN in 2014 -- and LaVergne, TN in 2025.

• Grandson Steven E. Kooser (1971-2025) was born on Nov. 15, 1971 in Mount Pleasant, PA. He was an alumnus of Connellsville Area High School and attended Johnson and Wales College in Providence, RI. Steven made his longtime residence in Connellsville, where he earned a living as a consultant for Tupperware. He was an openly gay man and a companion of Kurt Sill and helped to organize what's said to have been the first drag show in Mount Pleasant. He also was an avid collector of bright-eyed stuffed Beanie Baby dolls. Sadly, at the age of 53, he died on May 15, 2025. Rev. Steven Lamb presided over the obsequies, with interment following in Green Ridge Memorial Park.

Son Dale Richard Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In young manhood he was employed by Modulus Corporation in Mount Pleasant as a packer. On Oct. 2, 1977, in nuptials led by Rev. William Popa, he entered into marital union with Colleen Gay Miller ( ?  - ? ), daughter of John R. Miller of 737 Mt. Etna Boulevard. The nuptials were held in the Connellsville United Presbyterian Church. In reporting on the ceremony, the Connellsville Daily Courier pictured the couple and said that the bride "appeared in a floor-length gown of white chiffon. The bodice and sleeve cuffs of the gown were trimmed with Alencon lace and pearls. Attached to the gown was a high chiffon train." Colleen was one of a very large number of extended cousins in the Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor family who were members of the 1972 graduating class of Connellsville Area High School. She graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh and received her registered nurse license. At the time of marriage she was an intensive care nurse at Frick Community Hospital in Mount Pleasant. Circa 2008, they were in Connellsville.

Son Franklin Albert Kooser Sr. ( ? -living) was born in (?). He grew up on McCoy Road in Connellsville. Franklin was hired in April 1964 as a purchasing clerk with Sterling Faucet Company in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV. On July 1, 1967, he was united in marriage with a neighbor, Irma "Jean" Reese (Nov. 18, 1947-2021), daughter of Clayton and Lois (Woodmancy) Reese of Connellsville and a 1965 graduate of Connellsville Joint Senior High School. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, she wore "a floor length gown of white chiffon embroidered with roses. Her train was also embroidered with white roses and her headdress was a white pillbox with a veil." The couple's marriage endured for a remarkable 54 years. They put down roots in Morgantown. For six years, mainly in the 1960s, he served with the 354th Ordnance Company of the U.S. Army Reserves in Morgantown. Two known children were born to this union, among them Kelly Ann Canfield and Franklin Albert Kooser II. Franklin was pictured in the Daily Courier in November 1971 when he was promoted to junior buyer with Sterling Faucet. At the time their address was 1036 Curtis Avenue. Jean spent a quarter of a century as an orthodontist assistant with Dr. Robert Walsh. She belonged to the Church of Christ during her long life and helped found the University Church of Christ, where she was a longtime Sunday School teacher. The couple liked to travel all throughout the United States with a special love for vacations at the Outer Banks. Sadly, Irma died from the effects of cancer at the age of 73, in Mon Health Medical Center, on Sept. 3, 2021. Interment of the remains was in Morgantown's Fairview Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Kelly Ann Kooser (1969?- ? ) was born in about 1969. She was joined in holy wedlock with Whitney Canfield ( ? - ? ). They are the parents of Katelyn Reese Canfield. Circa 2021, the Canfields dwelled in Frederick, MD.

• Grandson Franklin Albert Kooser II (1970- ? ) was born on Aug. 5, 1970 in Morgantown, WV. News of his birth was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. He entered into marriage with Jodi and have lived in Morgantown. Their two offspring are Timothy Clayton Kooser and Lillian Grace Kooser.

Son Donald Blane Kooser Sr. ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He was joined in the bonds of marriage with Donna Metzger ( ? - ? ), daughter of Clyde and Pearl Metzger. The couple bore a son, Donald Blane Kooser Jr. The couple's marriage ended, and Donna wedded again to Thomas Armstrong ( ? - ? ), son of J.T. and Libby Armstrong. Donald also tied the knot again with Marcia. They have lived in New Salem near Uniontown, Fayette County.

• Grandson Donald Blane Kooser Jr. (1974-2021) was born on April 3, 1974 in Connellsville. He appears to have been raised by his stepfather, Thomas Armstrong. Donald was trained as a welder and became certified in his craft. He also worked for Bud Murphy's famed pizza restaurant in Connellsville and by Carry All Products Inc. Donald was the father of three -- Justine Kooser, Cole Kooser and Jayden Kooser. In his free time he liked to fish, hunt, camp at Big Bear Campground and watch football, especially the West Virginia University Mountaineers. Without warning, Donald died at the age of 46 on Jan. 17, 2021. Officating at his funeral service was Pastor Lee Maley,a distant cousin of the family of Martha (Mayle) Mayle of Philippi, WV. An obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Daughter Hazel Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She married (?) Oldland. They established their residence in Morgantown, WV and are the parents of at least one son, William K. Oldland. At the age of 81, in November 2020, she was quoted in the Washington Post for having voted in person for President Trump, stating that she "douibted a mail-in ballot would make it to its intended destination."

• Grandson William K. Oldland ( ? -living) is an entomologist with the U.S. Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, in Morgantown, WV.

Daughter Barbara Lee Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). As a young woman, she was employed at Anchor-Hocking Glass Corporation in South Connellsville. In about 1962, she wedded Kenneth Pericho ( ? - ? ), son of Ethyl Fieck Murphy of Belle Vernon and Connellsville, and stepson of Jack Fieck. At the time, Kenneth was training at Lackland Air Base in Texas as a member of the U.S. Air Force. The couple relocated to North Syracuse, NY, where he was serving as an airman first class with the Air Force facility at Hancock Field. His specialty was semi-automatic ground environment and manually-operated radar systems. In 1974, the family lived at 115 Shaver Avenue. Together they bore two known children -- Kenneth Pericho and Kristie Michelle Pericho.

• Grandson Kenneth Pericho was born in March 1965. At his ninth birthday, he was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

• Granddaughter Kristie Michelle Pericho was born in March 1970. When she turned four, her photograph appeared in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Daughter Deborah Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was a member of the 1972 graduating class of Connellsville Area High School, in which a large number of classmates were extended cousins in the Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor family. She was united in matrimony with Ralph Hough ( ? - ? ), son of Clarence "Peck" and Sarah F. "Sally" (Coffman) Hough of Connellsville. The pair have remained in Connellsville over the years.

Daughter Kimberly Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was united in marriage with Edwin Welsh ( ? - ? ). The couple has resided in Connellsville.

Daughter Marcia Kooser ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was joined in wedlock with Ralph Shroyer ( ? - ? ). The Shroyers live in Richmond, VA.

~ Son Edward Kooser ~

Son Edward Kooser (1918- ? ) was born in about 1918.

He lived in Connellsville.

Edward is believed to have brought a date, Anna Mary Stoll, to his Kooser Reunion in 1940, held at the home of his brother in Brownfield.

In 1960, at the death of his brother John, Edward was in Connellsville.

Copyright © 2006-2010, 2012, 2019, 2021, 2025 Mark A. Miner