COOPER
PAXTON — Jean Emma Cooper, 80, of Paxton, died at 5:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at her home.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Full Gospel Christian Fellowship, 619 S. Railroad Ave., Paxton, with the Rev. Rob Dargan officiating. Burial will be in the Onarga Township Cemetery in rural Onarga. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the church. Baier Family Funeral Services, 406 E. Pells St., Paxton, is in charge of arrangements.
She was born Oct. 15, 1944, in Fairbury, the daughter of Arthur and Sylvia Hamilton Donley. She married
James Harding on July 8, 1980. He died Feb. 3, 2003. She then married Stephen D. Cooper on April 4, 2004 in Paxton. He survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Cassandra (Josh Henderson) Harding of Paxton; two stepdaughters, Cindy (Ed) Warns of Catlin and Peggy (James) Gaddis of Kirbyville, Texas; eight grandchildren, Briandra, Emmalee, Nevaeh, Charlie, Jeremy, Josh, Steve and Lisa; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four sisters, Mary Delheimer of Dwight, Helen (David) Simmons of Springfield, Mo., Alice (Louis) Simmons of Jones, Mich., and her twin, Jeanette Franklin of Fairbury; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Lois Reynolds; and one brother, Chuck Donley.
Mrs. Cooper graduated from Cullom High School. She retired from France Broom Co. after 25 years. She was a member of the Full Gospel Christian Fellowship in Paxton. She enjoyed word searches, jigsaw puzzles, cooking, camping and going on walks. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Full Gospel Christian Fellowship in Paxton, the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.
Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com.