Ona Grace Cooper Obituary (1916 - 2014)

Ona G. Cooper, 97, Adams passed away on Friday, July 25, 2014 at Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams. She was born September 17, 1916 in rural Crab Orchard to Charles and Rose (Penkava) Steele. She graduated from Crab Orchard High School in 1934. Ona married John W. Cooper of Adams at Crab Orchard on March 22, 1935. They lived on the Cooper farm at rural Adams until 1980 when they moved to their new home in Adams. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Ona was very musical. Played instruments in her hometown band; sang in duets and other mixed groups, especially for funerals. She was a long time church pianist and organist, piano teacher, Sunday school teacher. She was a member of the Adams First United Methodist Church for 77 years and the United Methodist Women, serving many offices in the local, district and conference levels. Ona was president of the Adams Federated Woman's Club and also belonged to the Sunshine Club and the Chapparel Poetry Club of Lincoln. Ona wrote numerous poems, a number of which have been published. She especially enjoyed her family, as well as crocheting, sewing, gardening, working crossword puzzles and playing cards and other games. Birds and flowers were also among her favorite things. Survivors: daughters Janie Oltman and husband Lawrence of Adams, and Judy Talbott and husband Larry of Park Falls, Wisconsin; grandchildren David Oltman and wife Suzie of Adams; Randy Oltman and wife Lisa and Matthew Oltman and wife Kristi all of Lincoln; Kindra and E. J. Loferski of Menomonee Falls, WI and Kelly Talbott and wife Debbie of Cambridge, WI; 12 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by parents; husband John W. Cooper; sister Edna Fritz and husband Oscar; brother Volney Steele and wife Wilma; brothers-in-law Heiko Cooper and wife Adah; Frank Cooper and wife Nellie; Freda Trostle and husband Floyd; nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at the Adams First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rob Clark officiating. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery, Adams. The body will lie in state Monday from noon to 9 p.m. at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Adams and at the church one hour prior to services. The family will receive friends at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Adams Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial has been established to the church and to Gold Crest Retirement Center with Lori Williams in charge. Sign Ona's online guest book and view her video tribute when completed at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Adams.