Kathy A. Cooper

Kathy A. Cooper, 68, of Manito, passed away at her home at 10:05 p.m., on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. She was born August 19, 1957, in Pekin, Illinois, to Nelson and Pauline (Finley) Lawson. She married Peter Wade Cooper on September 3, 1976, at Spring Lake Missionary Church, near Manito. He preceded her in death on October 8, 2021.

Mrs. Cooper is survived by two children: Jeff Cooper, of Galesburg, Illinois, Tiffany (John) Burke, of Tuscumbia, Alabama; daughter-in-law, April Cooper, of Manito; one granddaughter, LexiAnn Cooper, of Manito; sister, Barbara Davis, of Manito; and brother, Dale Lawson, of Missouri. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
Mrs. Cooper was a member of Spring Lake Missionary Church, near Manito, where she had played the piano and organ. She earned her Masters Degree in Psychology. She operated the Paducah Day Nursery for the United Way for several years. She later owned and operated child development centers in the Quad Cities, where children learned sign language.
Funeral services will be held at Spring Lake Missionary Church, on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow the services at Meadowlawn Cemetery, in Manito. Rev. Jamie Miller will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Maas-Hurley Funeral Home, in Manito, is in charge of arrangements.