MENDOTA - Donna M. Cooper, 84, of Mendota, passed away unexpectedly May 22, 2021 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 3 at Holy Cross Church, Mendota with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Donna was born April 18, 1937 in Peru to Elmer and Dorothy (Locke) Trattner. She married Robert “Bob” L. Cooper. He preceded her in death on Nov. 28, 2019 after 54 years of marriage.

Survivors include two sons, Michael (Trisha) Cooper and Mark (Sally) Cooper and four grandchildren, Anthony, Jonathan, Seth and Gabrielle, all of Ottawa.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and one sister, Geraldine Asal.

Donna was the wife of the late MHS principal Robert L. Cooper and loving mother of Mike and Mark Cooper.

Donna grew up in LaSalle and was a 1955 graduate of LaSalle-Peru Township High School. After graduating from L-P, she attended Western Illinois University where she received her degree. She spent several years as a lab technician before settling in as a full-time mom to her two sons. She and Bob, who was a former Mendota High School principal, were big supporters of the high school and the community. They attended events both big and small for many years. They also became full-time supporters of Ottawa High School, Ottawa Pirate athletics and other events involving their sons and grandkids. Donna, who loved attending her grandkids’ activities, was also an avid tennis player and she enjoyed reading and watching current events news stories on television.

Memorials may be directed to the Ottawa Booster Club or Mendota High School. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.