Leslie Cooper

Leslie “Rusty” J. Cooper, age 91, went to be with the Lord at 8:15 pm on Friday, January 4, 2019, at his residence, under the care of Unity Hospice.

He was born May 18, 1927 in Moro, IL, son of the late Henry & Jenny (Bird) Cooper. He married Mary A. (Manns) Cooper on September 21, 1952 at Moro Presbyterian Church being together for 66 years of marriage.

Rusty served his country in the Merchant Marines during WWII and then served with the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict receiving the Bronze Star. He was employed with Standard Oil in the maintenance crew for 17 years, he then went to work for Granite City Steel Co. as a Blast Furnace Transporter from 1964 until his retirement in 1984. He was a member of the Moro Presbyterian Church and enjoyed working on the farm, wood working and having fun with his grandchildren, family and friends. 

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Glenn (Debra) Cooper of Dorsey, Timothy (Janine) Cooper of Moro and Cynthia Cooper of Bethalto; 7 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild and 3 sisters-in-law, Jean Cooper of NC, Goldie “Trink” Marshall of Edwardsville and Alma Cooper of Moro.

Preceded in death by his, parents; 4 brothers, Orville Cooper, Willis Cooper, Ray Cooper and Roy Cooper and 1 sister, Myrln Johnson-Meffert .

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. 

Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto with Pastor Marc Wendleton. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto with military rites being performed by the Alton VFW Post 1308.

Memorials may be made to the Moro Presbyterian Church.

Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home