Russell Eugene Cooper 1932-2012

BENNETT COOPER MERCER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/23/2012 at 12:35:33

Sioux City Journal
May 02, 2012

WHITING, Iowa -- Russell Eugene Cooper, 79, of Omaha, formerly of Whiting, died April 30, 2012, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Whiting Christian Church, with the Rev. Tom Scott officiating. Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery, rural Whiting. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com.

Russell was born on Aug. 4, 1932, in Castana, Iowa, son of Ray and Merle (Bennett) Cooper. He attended Castana High School before joining the U.S. Army during World War II.

Russell and Alice J. Mercer were united in marriage on May 17, 1952. They made their home and raised their family in Whiting. Russell worked as an over-the-road trucker for many years before retiring from the Nebraska Coast Line in 2006.

Russell moved to Omaha in 1983, where he was united in marriage to Roberta Walkup on May 29, 1987. He lived there until January 2012, when he moved to Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, where he lived until his death.

Russell was an avid fisherman, card player, and loved going to dog and horse races, watching all-star wrestling, old westerns, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Roberta Cooper of Fayetteville, Ark.; five children, Joan "Jo" Cooper of Sergeant Bluff, Ray (Lori) Cooper of Sioux City, Dave (Becki) Cooper of Whiting, Dale (Renee) Cooper of Whiting, and Karen Wurth of Sergeant Bluff; one daughter-in-law, Lori Cooper of Whiting; 16 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren with one soon to arrive; three nieces; three nephews; several cousins; and four stepchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gary Lee Cooper; grandchildren, Cody Cooper and Carmen Cooper; one brother, Guy Cooper; and two sisters, Fern Heisler and Dorothy Jackson