Eileen Cooper

1933 - 2013

Eileen Cooper, 79, of Beardstown, died Monday, July 1, 2013, at her home.

She was born July 10, 1933, in Beardstown, the daughter of Roy and Edna Best Patterson. She married Cairl E. Cooper on Oct. 25, 1951, in Beardstown, and he preceded her in death June 16, 1989.

She is survived by her children, Jenny (John) Jackson of Seaside, Ore., Tom Cooper and Nancy (Ron) Steffen, both of Beardstown, Tim (Kristen) Cooper of Evergreen, Colo., Peggy (Gary) Miller of Avon, Pat (Tami) Cooper of Beardstown and Joe Cooper of Springfield; 12 grandchildren, Johnny Jackson, Mandy Steger, Danielle Keldermans, Angie Meyer, Heidi Simpson, Kyle Steffen, James and Amy Miller, Justin, Kelsie and Jay Cooper and Robbie Cooper; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Bill (Jeanette) Patterson of Clayton; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Bob Patterson and Richard Patterson (surviving wife, Maizie, of Hot Springs Village, Ark.)

Mrs. Cooper, alongside her husband, owned and operated the Thrift Center and Cooper's Supply in Beardstown for over 20 years. In 1980, she began employment with the First National Bank of Beardstown and retired in 1999. She then worked for Joe Osmer Towing for 12 years. Mrs. Cooper was active in the Beardstown Community. She served as the Beardstown Township Supervisor and was a member of the Beardstown Emblem Club. She was a member of BPW and was chosen BPW Woman of the Year for 1995-1996. She was a member of St. Alexius Catholic Church. She served as the church bookkeeper and was a member of the St. Alexius Altar Society. Mrs. Cooper volunteered her time at the Lincoln Courtroom and Black Museum in Beardstown, in the same building she had lived as a child.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated 9 a.m. Thursday at St. Alexius Catholic Church in Beardstown, with burial at St. Alexius Catholic Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 5-8 p.m. today at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown with a Vigil Prayer Service being held at 7:45 p.m. Memorials have been suggested to the Beardstown Rural Fire Association which was founded by her father. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.