John Cooper

John R. Cooper, age 99, of Williamsville, passed away on October 13, 2015 at the Villa Health Care East in Sherman.

John is survived by his son J. Roger (Joyce) Cooper of Williamsville; a daughter Susan (Tom) Foran, of Williamsville; four grandchildren; Jessie Cooper, Justin (Kendra) Cooper, Janna (Cole) Johnson, and Kevin (Jessica) Foran, and five great-grandchildren; Emmalee Cooper, Zoie and Zaylee Cooper, and Grayson and Palmer Foran; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Casteel, as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife Doris in 2001, a brother; Robert Cooper, as well as both of his parents. John married Doris Casteel on June 11, 1948 in Detroit, Illinois.

John was born April 4, 1916 in Williamsville, the son of John and Emma Richardson Cooper.

He graduated from Williamsville High School in 1934. He later graduated University of Illinois in 1938. He spent four years in Pike County as the Agriculture Instructor at New Canton and Griggsville High Schools.

John’s teaching career was cut short when WWII broke out. He served his country as an army officer for the next four years. He was in Europe near the Elbe River when that conflict ended. John was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Victory Medal, EAME Theater Medal with two Bronze Stars and an American Theater Medal. John returned to the farm in the spring of 1946 and started farming with his parents for the rest of his life. John was a lifelong member of Williamsville United Methodist Church. He served on the school board for Williamsville School District for several years. He belonged to the Sangamon County Farm Bureau where he was later inducted to the “Sangamon County Farmer Hall of Fame” in 2011. Due to his hard work and dedication, his family farm achieved the “Illinois Centennial Farm Status” in 2012. John was a great father, grandfather and friend.

John’s family would like to thank the staff at “Villa Health Care” Facilities of Sherman for their dedication and loving care.

Visitation for John will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2015 from 4-7 PM at Williamsville United Methodist Church. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 10 AM at Williamsville United Methodist Church.

Burial will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery near Williamsville where Military Honors will take place.

Rev. Dick Piscatelli will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Williamsville United Methodist Church.