Shelby Ann Wagner Cooper

Shelby Ann Wagner Cooper, 18, of Southport, passed away on April 29, 2022, after injuries sustained in a tragic motorcycle accident on April 4, 2022. After a courageous fight that took place over the course of weeks, Shelby showed her family signs that she was ready to be at peace. On October 17, 2003, Shelby was born in Indianapolis at St. Vincent Hospital to Gretchen Wagner and the late, Dale Cooper.

Shelby was a student at Southport High School where she was a great student trainer for the athletic teams. She specifically loved her wrestling team and was going to graduate in the class of 2022. Shelby was currently taking courses at the C9 career center where she was awarded membership to the National Technical Honor Society. A future IUPUI Jaguar, Shelby was extremely excited that she received a full-ride scholarship to begin courses this fall studying to be a dental hygienist with aspirations to eventually become a dentist.

No stranger to hard work, Shelby started working from the moment she got her driver’s permit, having her first job at McDonald’s. Shelby was currently working part-time at the Conrad Hotel downtown Indianapolis as a valet. Previously, Shelby worked at Perry Park ice skating rink where she even got to drive the Zamboni.

When not studying, working, or laughing with friends, Shelby enjoyed traveling to Florida, Africa, and Colorado, watching a good movie, taking care of her plants, riding motorcycles, going hunting with her late father, morel mushroom hunting with her parents, hiking, and watching sports. With a sense of adventure, any time spent in the great outdoors, whether it be in Brown County or the Grand Canyon, Shelby truly felt a connection to nature. From Post Malone to ACDC, Shelby had a zest for a variety of music.

Shelby touched every single person she encountered in a positive manner; she was always putting others before herself and was the most loyal to those she loved. Her infectious spirit accompanied by her spunk and ability to be a light in this harsh world will be sorely missed by all who were lucky to know her.

Along with her father, Dale, Shelby was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Woodard and Norma Cooper; maternal grandparents, Pat and Jerry Wagner; and her uncles, Douglas Cooper and Bob Wagner.

Survivors include her mother, Gretchen Wagner; siblings, Laura (Shane) Kelly and Jason (Lindsey) Cooper; her uncle, Darryl Cooper; her aunts, Debra Bueno, Donna Smith, and Emily (Andrew) Hodson; nieces and nephews, Reagan Kelly, Cooper Kelly, and Indy Cooper; cousins, Grace and Louis Hodson; grandma, Sharri Wagner; many friends and extended family members.

Shelby’s family would like to thank everyone in the community and afar for their continued prayers and support for #ShelbysFight. Whether you sent up a prayer, made a meal, donated funds, or sent words of encouragement, the family members of Shelby sincerely appreciate the generosity and love that has been shown to them over the course of the last month.

The Life Celebration® Visitation for Shelby will be held Thursday, May 5, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the chapel at the O’Riley-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 South East Street, Indianapolis. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 7, 2022. Following the funeral service, inurnment will take place in Crown Hill Cemetery. An endowment in Shelby’s memory is currently in the process of being established; please check back at a later time for more information. Please visit www.ORileyBranson.com to leave an online condolence for Shelby’s family.

GoFundMe Link in Shelby’s Memory: https://gofund.me/45fcbb0a