Gary E. Cooper, Sr., 90 of Aledo, Illinois, passed away Monday, November 6, 2023, at Genesis Medical Center East in Davenport. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, November 11, at New Life Assembly of God Church in Aledo. The funeral service will follow directly after the visitation. Memorials may be made to New Life Assembly of God Church or the Aledo Volunteer Fire Department. Interment will be at the Hamlet Cemetery.
Gary was born November 30, 1932, in Moline to Clair and Mary Bonynge Cooper. He graduated from Aledo High School in 1950. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Gary married Leota Bogart on June 1, 1958, in Millersburg, Illinois, at the Presbyterian Church.
Gary’s work history includes Olsen Lumber Yard in Aledo, the Brickyard in Shale City, the Taylor Ridge Elevator, and Farmers Grain and Coal in Aledo where he retired after 27 years.
Gary was a charter member at the New Life Assembly of God Church and served in many capacities. He was also a member of the Mercer County Farm Bureau.
He enjoyed gardening, doing yardwork, latch hooking, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and spoiling his grandkids. Gary also loved going to his son’s dairy farm in Wisconsin.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Gary E. (Julie) Cooper, Jr., of Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin; one daughter, Karen Bertelsen of Aledo; six grandchildren, Brooke Cooper, Morgan Cooper, Dale (Amanda) Biddle, Cheryl Baker, Michelle (Adam) Carle, and Sarah Gilmour; two step grandchildren, Derek (Nelson Capetillo) Bertelsen and Jackie (Kyle) Leng; eleven great grandkids, Alexandra, Dillon, Payton, Kourtney, Eve, Tyler, Bella, Mary, Maria, and Lucy; one step great grandchild, Lynnux; two brothers-in-law, Wilbur (Charlotte) Bogart and James (Linda) Bogart; one sister-in-law, Elouise Larson; and many nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents; great granddaughter, Terra Alexander; son-in-law, Michael Bertelsen; mother- and father-in-law, Cecil and Helen Bogart; and two brothers-in-law, Keith and David Bogart.