Michael "Mike" Ray Cooper

Michael “Mike” Ray Cooper, 64, of Hamilton, Illinois, passed away on Monday, January 30, 2023, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois.

Mike was born on April 9, 1958, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Albert Leroy and Margaret Maxine (West) Cooper. He was employed as a caretaker at the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk from 1999 until his retirement in 2019. Mike was a member of the Hamilton VFW and enjoyed spending his free time watching TV, listening to the radio, and hunting for mushrooms and geodes. He loved taking drives around the area, and frequented Menards and Caseys. Two of his favorite hobbies included the Wordscapes app and photography. Mike had a big heart and was always helping others. Mike proudly served his country in the United States Army during Operation Desert Storm, was stationed in Germany, and served thirteen years in the National Guard. He was honorably discharged.

Mike is survived by his daughter Brooke Cooper of Hamilton, his sister Marge Vickers of Elvaston, Illinois, two grandchildren: Chance Cooper and Nathan Gonzales; his great-grandson Cohan Michael Cooper; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and two cats: Snowball and Tawny.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Albert “Punk” Cooper and Roger Cooper, his sister Norma Jones, and his grandson Christopher Gonzales.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Friday, February 3, 2023, at DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk, with burial with military honors to follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton. Visitation will be held at DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk on Thursday from 2 to 7 pm, with family meeting friends from 5 to 7 pm.

Memorials may be directed to the Diabetes Association.

As Mike would say, “Tata” for now.

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