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
the Korean Conflict, 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.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.dejongsfuneralhome.com.
DeJong-Greaves-Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.