Mary Margaret Cooper

Mary Margaret Cooper, 94, of Springfield, Missouri, and formerly of Chetopa, Kansas, passed away at 9:42 a.m., Monday, March 5, 2018 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield.

She was born April 9, 1923 in Chetopa, Kansas to Amos Clayton and Myrtle (Lancaster) Hillegas.  Mary graduated from Chetopa High School in 1940.

On February 7, 1943, she married Frank J. Cooper in Chetopa. Mary worked for the former H.D. Lee garment factory in Chetopa, Blankenship Hardware, and the City of Chetopa for several years.  During that time, she and Frank owned and operated Cooper's Dairy Bar for 16 years.  They also owned and operated Cooper's Old Mill Inn and Town Motel for 14 years, retiring in 1991.

She was a member of the Chetopa United Methodist Church and a former member of the Chetopa Chamber of Commerce. Until recent years, Mary was a lifelong resident of the Chetopa area.  In later years, she enjoyed spending time with her many friends and following the achievements of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her son, Gary Cooper and his wife, Patti, of Springfield, MO; three grandchildren, Kaci Jones and her husband, Grant, of Bella Vista, AR, Mitchell Cooper and his wife, Ashley, of Bentonville, AR, and Madi Cooper of Springfield, MO; and two great-grandchildren, Graci Jones and Nora Jones, of Bella Vista, AR.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank J. Cooper, on April 4, 2001; and two sisters, Eleanor Grillot-Evelsizer and Helen Knewtson.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 9, 2018 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa with Rev. Dean Knewtson officiating. Visitation and a Celebration of Mary's life will be held from 6:30-8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, 605 Locust, in Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the Chetopa Historical Museum.  These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.