George K. Cooper

CHARLESTON, IL – George Kile Cooper, Ph.D., age 91 of Charleston, passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon.  Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2206 4th Street in Charleston with Reverend Jack Woods officiating.  Visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until Service time at the church.  Interment, with Military Rites conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.   It is requested that memorial gifts in his honor be made to a church or charity of the donor's preference

George was born on April 5, 1920 in Bushnell, Illinois and was the son of George Kile and Lula Belle (Robison) Cooper.  He married June Cardell on June 12, 1948 in Kenosha, Wisconsin and for sixty-three years they have shared a bond of friendship and marriage.  In addition to his loving wife June, he is survived by five children, Kyle Cooper and wife Christie of Topeka, Kansas, Ernie Cooper and wife Lisa of Springfield, Virginia, Ruth Anne Cooper of Washington, DC, Jean Cooper of Charleston, Drew Cooper and wife Sue (Snyder) of Middletown, Indiana; nineteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Ki Im Cooper of Fayetteville, North Carolina; and a former daughter-in-law, Marla Prest Cooper of Charleston.  In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by a son, William Cooper; a brother, Alvin Cooper; and a son-in-law, David E. Perkins.

George was a 1938 graduate of Carthage High School.  He enrolled at Western Illinois University, the first of his family to attend college, and graduated in 1942 with a Bachelor of Education.  His further education was interrupted during World War II while he honorably served his country with the United States Army.  Following his military service he attained a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University and his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Michigan.  George was a member of several honor societies but was most proud of his membership in the Pi Omega Pi Honor Society in Business Teacher Education, serving a term as its National President; the Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society in Education; and the Delta Pi Epsilon Honor Graduate Society in Business.  His memberships in professional organizations were extensive as well and included the Illinois Vocational Association, serving as its Treasurer; the National Business Education Association; and the Illinois Business Education Association, serving a term as President.  Dr. Cooper was an individual who possessed a continuous thirst for knowledge, which enhanced his lifelong career as a devoted teacher and educator.  His accomplishments have been many - he served as Head of the Department of Business Education at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and during his twenty-year tenure as a Professor at Eastern Illinois University served as Department Head of Business Education and Administrative Office Management for eleven years.  Dr. Cooper was designated Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1982.  His service to his profession has been extensive and has earned him numerous awards and recognitions.  He received the Distinguished Service Award in 1974 from the Illinois Business Education Association; the Distinguished Professor Award in 1982 from the School of Business at EIU; the Meritorious Service Award in 1982 at EIU; and in 1991 was honored with the designation of Cooper Hall, a building on the EIU campus, which bears his name.  Western Illinois University honored him with the Alumni Achievement Award in 1994.

 George and June were devoted to the Charleston community where they raised their six children.  Together they participated as members of the Coles County Historical Society and George often assisted with activities at the Greenwood Country School Museum.  While his boys were active in the local scouting program George took his turn as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 41 for three years.  As a faithful and active member of Wesley United Methodist Church, George participated in many church activities.  He served as Church Treasurer for nine years and was a regular member of the Men's Prayer Breakfast group.

 While Dr. Cooper's accomplishments have been many, his greatest has been the positive impact on the lives of his friends and family and those who have received the benefits and nurturing of his classroom instruction.Click here to view George's video tribute.