Donald M. Cooper
OBITUARY
Donald M. Cooper, 86, of Spring Township passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, at his
residence. He was the husband of Charlotte Benson Cooper with whom he shared 43
years of marriage. He was the son of the late Daniel and Stella (Matz) Cooper.
Don began his working career while still a student at Wilson High School. He started as
a teller trainee at the Reading Trust Company in 1956. During his 39 years in the
banking industry, he served in executive level positions on both the retail and
commercial sides of the bank. He retired from banking in 1995 as Chairman and
President of CoreStates Hamilton Bank.
An entrepreneur at heart, Don’s next 30 years were spent in private enterprise. He
acquired Faddis Concrete Products in 1987 and grew the company from one plant in
Downingtown, PA to seven locations in PA, VA, and SC. His company specialized in
the manufacture of precast concrete noise walls and the manufacture, rental and
installation of highway safety barrier. At the time of the sale of the company in 2021,
they were the leading producer of concrete noise walls and safety barriers in the Mid-
Atlantic region and beyond.
The many people who worked under Don’s leadership over the years can attest to the
positive impact he had on their lives. His vision, dedication and work ethic were an
example to all. He inspired people to do more, become more, and strive for excellence
in all things. He was fiercely competitive and a creative problem solver.
Don loved big toys and had a lot of them. He had tractors, backhoes, road graders,
ditch diggers and more. When not behind a desk or making business deals, he spent a
lot of his leisure time operating heavy equipment wherever he could make the
opportunity. He relished large snowstorms that provided the opportunity for him to plow
his driveway, his neighbors’ driveways, and even public roads! What most people
would consider work, he thought of as recreation.
In addition to his business career, Don had a passion for thoroughbred horses, both
racing and breeding, at various periods of his life. He pursued this via his two racing
stables: Danmare Farms and later Karmac Stables, named for his children and
grandchildren. He took great joy in seeing one of his horses run a good race (hopefully
crossing the finish line first) and researching breeding and pedigree to make astute
acquisitions at the horse auctions he loved to attend. In addition to his love of horses,
he was the proud parent of four labrador retrievers over the years. In the evenings, he
usually could be found snoozing in his favorite chair with a sleeping dog draped over his
lap.
During his working career he served on many non-profit boards and industry
associations. Don was a member of Park Road Presbyterian Church.
The Coopers loved to travel and had fond memories of journeying to destinations on all
but two continents. They also treasured their time spent at their family beach home in
Avalon, NJ and their winter home on Longboat Key, Florida.
Don considered the best part of his life to be his family. He leaves behind his sons,
Daniel S. Cooper (Roberta) of Malvern, PA and Scott A. Vaughn (Jill) of Cumru Twp.,
daughters Maria Cooper Ziolkowski of Davidson, NC and Tanya Vaughn McDonald
(Kenneth) of Dallas, TX. There are 7 grandchildren: Aubrey McDonald, Madison
McDonald Cierto (Jos), Alexandra Vaughn, Ryan Vaughn, Claire Ziolkowski, Kathryn
Ziolkowski, and JT Krynock.
A service to celebrate Don’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 6, at Park
Road Presbyterian Church, 1047 N Park Road, Wyomissing, PA. In lieu of flowers, the
family suggests that donations in his memory may be made to Park Road Church.
Rest in peace, Don Cooper. You will be dearly missed and forever remembered.
Bean Funeral Homes & Crematory, 3825 Penn Ave. Sinking Spring is in charge of
arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com