John Cooper

John E Cooper, 78, died at 5:28 a.m. March 11, 2024 at Good Samaritan Society- Ottumwa, under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. He is survived by two brothers, Earle (Janet) Cooper, Bakersfield, CA, Dan (Margaret) Cooper, Eldridge, IA and a sister, Cindy (Fred) Lawton, Eleva, WI. John was preceded in death by his parents Edwin J. and Theodora “Teddy” Cooper.

John was born in Ames, IA, February 18, 1946, and lived the majority of his life in Ottumwa. He attended the Ottumwa Special Education program until he was 18, then went to the Tenco Handicap Workshop. John worked at the Ottumwa parks in lawn services and later janitorial services at the YMCA before he retired.

John was able to live independently with the help and supervision of two caretakers, Cindy Murphy followed by Sheila Rehling. Not only did they help with his daily living they also drove John to meet one of his siblings for family visits. John’s family has been and is very thankful for the care that Cindy and Sheila provided John while he lived independently. After some health issues in 2019 John moved to Timber Ridge, Good Samaritan Assisted Living until recently when he was admitted to Good Samaritan Society-Ottumwa under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice.

John liked to take daily walks and became friends with Mark Wagner, a locksmith on Church Street, Mark always had a cold Mountain Dew ready! John also became good friends with the Altfillisch (local optometrists) family. John was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, Brent (Kathy) took him to both football and basketball games in Iowa City and welcomed John in their home. Their son, Mark (Heidi), continued including John in their family activities, took John for rides, out for lunch/dinner or for his “favorite” pizza. For this John’s family will be forever grateful.

John always looked forward to times spent with his siblings, whether flying to California to visit Earle and Janet, many trips to Dan and Margaret’s or to visit Cindy and Fred at their farm in Wisconsin. John, from early on liked cars and always was ready to go for a ride, short or long, these visits were always special as he got to ride in different cars!

John was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, attending Saturday evening mass and sometimes daily mass. John liked to sit in the front so he could hear the priest and see his friends.

John’s family appreciates the love and care extended to John in his time of need. Special thanks to Linda Grinstead RN, Timber Ridge Assisted Living and Stephanie Christner, director of independent living Good Samaritan. Thanks to Shelby Bates, manager of Care Initiatives Hospice for Wapello County and staff, most especially Lisa Knight RN, and Missy Smallwood, CNA. You gave us peace at a difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name may be given to Care Initiatives Hospice of Wapello County, Timber Ridge assisted living of Good Samaritan and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ottumwa.

Visitation with the family present to greet friends at St. Patrick Catholic Church will be from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, March 15th prior to the Mass.

Funeral Mass will be 9 a.m. Friday, March 15th at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Jospeh Sia presiding.

The family will depart after for Ames Municipal Cemetery/Calvary where John will be buried next to his parents with a graveside service.

Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.