MARK J. COOPER

MONETT- Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Monett for Mark J. Cooper, 88, Monett, who died Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, following a brief illness. Dr. Bill Cox officiated.

Burial was at 2 p.m., at Peace Valley Cemetery in Anderson.

Arrangements were under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions have been requested to the American Diabetes Association or First Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Fern, of the home; three daughters, Connie Curbow and husband Kelley, Monett, Terri Cooper, Monett and Ellen Dhooghe and husband David, Parsons, Kan.; three grandchildren, Cami Kasterke and husband Lester, Adam Carroll and wife Sheena and Tyler Carroll and six great-grandchildren, Hope Kasterke, Hannah Kasterke, Hadlee Kasterke, Carter Carroll, Easton Carroll and Tanner Carroll.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Edward Cooper and one sister, True Davidson.

Mr. Cooper was born Feb. 19, 1930, in Anderson, to Glen and Marcella (Jarmin) Cooper. He was a graduate of Anderson High School and continued his education at Joplin Junior College. He had served in the Missouri National Guard.

He was a financial manager for Thorco Manufacturing in Lamar, retiring in 1997. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Monett, where he served as a deacon. He also served as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Lamar. While serving there, he taught the young adult Sunday school class. He was a past president of the Lamar Rotary Club, a coach of the Lamar Little League program and a past president of Monett Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, watching the St. Louis Cardinals and Mizzou Tigers football.

He married Fern Pratt on June 15, 1951, in Bentonville, Ark. They were blessed with over 37 years of wonderful memories together. To this union, three daughters were born.