Irene Cooper

Irene Cooper, 80, of Keithsburg, died Friday, June 17, 2011, at Mercer County Nursing Home, Aledo. Services are 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, with visitation three hours prior at Keithsburg First Christian Church. Burial is at Greenmound Cemetery, Keithsburg. The Reverend Charles Reynolds officiating and Lavota Armstrong playing the organ. Pallbearers are Jeremy Garner, Brad Garner, Darin Garner, Mickey Dawson, Cody Dawson and Brian Rader. Honorary Pallbearers are Bud Rader and Roger Rader. Memorials may be made to Keithsburg First Christian Church. Dennison Funeral Home, Aledo, is handling arrangements. She was born Sept. 26, 1930, in Joy, daughter of Fletcher and Winnifred Combs Rader. She graduated from Joy High School. She married John L. Cooper on Nov. 30, 1953. He preceded her in death Sept. 16, 1975. She recently was site manager at Keithsburg Senior Center. She was famous for her strawberry peach jam and jelly, which she shared with everyone. She was an active member of Keithsburg Christian Church. Surviving are her children, (spouses), Gail (Lita) Cooper, Aledo, Debbie (Mick) McDonald, Aledo, Joyce (Darrell) Askew, Oquawka, Ill., and Garnet (Steven) Curtice, Kirkwood, Ill; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Anderson, Rock Island; brothers, James Bud Rader, Little York, and Roger Rader, Aledo; and special friend, Norma Laughlin. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter in infancy, Barbara Ann Rader; and sisters, Louise Sutton, Florence Jean, Dorothy Alice and Grace Elizabeth Rader.