Gary W. Cooper

Gary W. Cooper, 68, of Springfield, died at 6:10 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Memorial Medical Center. Gary was born June 13, 1941 in Petersburg, the son of Virgil F. and Mary E. Hubbard Cooper. He married Beverly K. Rutherford in Springfield on May 13, 1990. She preceded him in death in 2005. Gary graduated from both elementary and high school in Petersburg. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Gary was employed most recently by Lasley's Disposal and Recycling and prior to that at Individual Mausoleum Company. He was a family man who loved spending time with his kids and also enjoyed cooking. He was also preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Lois Glenn, Betty Cooper and Margaret Barkoozis; and one brother, Gerald Cooper. He is survived by two sons, Gary Cooper of Taylorville and Robert "Robbie" Cooper of Apache Junction, AZ; two daughters, Sarah Cooper and Donna Rutherford both of Springfield; four grandchildren, Ashley, Jasmine, Sean and Jacob; four brothers, Glenn (wife, Betty) Cooper of Beardstown, Robert (wife, Judith) Cooper of Athens and Danny (wife, Faye) and John Michael Cooper both of Galesburg; one sister, Nancy Honea of Greenview; and several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 12:00 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral ceremonies will follow visitation at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Joe Harrod officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where military honors will be provided by the U.S. Army and the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorial contributions may be made to Neurofibromatosis, Inc., P.O. Box 66884, Chicago, IL 60666.