Ivan Cooper

Ivan Arthur Cooper, 86, Topeka, passed away on Friday, September 15, 2006 at a local hospital.

Ivan was born February 21, 1920 in Hill City, the son of William Arthur and Molly Turner Cooper.

He attended school in Chase and Lyons and studied at Kansas State College and the University of Kansas.

He served in World War II from 1941 to 1945 in the 509th Parachute Infantry.

He retired from Kansas Power and Light in 1980, after 25 years of service, having worked for them in Hutchinson, Abilene and Topeka.

Mr. Cooper was a member of First United Methodist Church and Yomac Sunday School Class. He was a member of a bowling league and golfing group.

He had a very outstanding sense of humor and liked to sing for pleasure. He and Lenora would sing church hymns and other songs at home and while traveling for hours. He was a special father and grandfather and had a heart of gold. He enjoyed the trips he got to take after retirement and would look at the books and pictures over and over again.

He was married to Thelma Armstrong and three children were born to that union; Kathy Kroupa, Tampa, Dennis Cooper, Hutchinson and Kipp Cooper, Salina. On December 22, 1963, he was married to Lenora Miller. Besides his children, he is also survived by a step daughter, Marilyn Miller Quinn, Holton, eleven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren; and a sister, Kathryn Haxton, Hutchinson. He was preceded in death by one sister, Hildred McDonald.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Mr. Cooper will lie in state at the funeral home after 2:00 p.m. on Monday. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Aldersgate Village, 7220 SW Asbury Drive, Topeka, Kansas 66614 or First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, Kansas 66603.

A special message for the family can be left online at www.PenwellGabel.com