Kathaleen Cooper

While many are blessed with years in abundance, some are called to leave their earthly home rather soon. For Kathaleen Cooper, it wasn’t so much the number of years she had, although few as they were, but what she did with them in between. Kathaleen genuinely cared for others, especially her family, including her church family, and many friends. A lover of life, it was easy to like Kathaleen, and when she became someone’s friend, she was a friend for life. Her giving and caring spirit leaves a tremendous imprint on the hearts of many. Although gone from our sight too soon, the very thought of her friendly smile and zest for life will be dearly missed.

In 1962, the world was a flurry of activity. While the first American orbited the earth, the Cuban Missile Crisis nearly caused another World War. The Beatles released their first record, and racial tensions stirred across the nation. In the quiet rail community of Kankakee, Illinois, the headlines of the day didn’t compare to the joy that Clyde Sr. and Claudette Tilley experienced when on August 21, 1962 they welcomed the birth of their beautiful baby girl Kathaleen into their loving arms.

A close knit family, Kathaleen grew up in Kankakee in the family home located on South Elm Street with her siblings. A wonderful memory that Kathaleen treasured was a memorable family trip to Disneyland in California when she was five years old where fun times were shared by all. She enjoyed a typical childhood filled with neighborhood friends and school activities. At the tender age of nine, Kathaleen accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. This personal commitment in her life was significant in shaping the woman she would grow to become as it molded her precious spirit throughout her life.

Kathaleen attended Kankakee Public Schools through the sixth grade before going on to attend and graduate from Kankakee Christian Academy. Always giving, she was like a big sister to all of the younger kids there. If they needed anything, Kathaleen was always there with a helping hand. She remained living at home until she ventured out on her own at the age of 19. At the same time, Kathaleen tragically experienced the death of her beloved cousin, Theresa Manowski, whom she was very close to. As one can only imagine, it proved to be a very difficult time for her.

Over the years Kathaleen worked and supported herself. Although sometimes a struggle, Kathaleen always held fast to her faith. Truly blessed on October 17, 1992 when she welcomed the birth of her son Wallace, Kathaleen delighted in her role as mother. Another blessing came her way when she met and married her life companion, Charles Cooper on July 17, 1997. She was equally blessed to become the mother to Charlie’s daughter Brianna, who Kathaleen loved and raised as her very own. Throughout the years Kathaleen enjoyed taking excursions with her family to Chicago to watch the White Sox play, as well as many trips to Florida to visit her grandparents.

Although she worked outside the home for a short time at the Kankakee Journal, Kathaleen was content and the happiest being at home with her children. With a creative flair for crafts, she put her skills to use making beautiful wreaths for her family and friends during the holidays. In everything she did, Kathaleen put forth love and care. She could take just about anything and create something wonderful and beautiful out of it.

In April of 2009, Kathaleen was sadly diagnosed with cancer. She gave it her all while her faith and trust in her Lord became a beautiful testament to those around her. Only given several months at the time, Kathaleen was blessed to have had a little more time with the ones she loved. As the cancer progressed and took its toll on Kathaleen’s earthly life, her last breath was rewarded with a heavenly home far greater than ever imagined. At the age of 47, Kathleen Cooper, of Chebanse, passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at the Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee surrounded by her loving family.

In all things, Kathaleen was the happiest just simply loving people. She never met a stranger, and would help anyone in need, even if it meant going without herself. She enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by her wonderful family and friends who brought her great joy. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Cooper of Chebanse; her son, Wallace Zimmerman of Chebanse; her daughter, Brianna Cooper of Chebanse; three sisters, Reathel (John) Price of St. Anne, Leanna Tilley and Columbia Tilley, both of Bradley; a brother, Clyde Jr. (Shelli) Tilley of Manteno; her parents, Clyde Sr. and Claudette Tilley of Bourbonnais; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Along with her cousin, Kathaleen was preceded in death by her grandparents, John and Reathel Tilley, Joseph and Bernice Metcalf, Calvin and Mildred Scarborough, and several aunts, uncles and nephews.

The funeral service for Kathaleen will take place on Friday, March 5, 2010, 11:00 AM at Kankakee Gospel Assembly in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 3-8 PM at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Home, and from 10-11 AM on Friday prior to the service at Kankakee Gospel Assembly. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kankakee Gospel Assembly. Burial to take place in the Mound Grove Garden of Memories. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory or photo of Kathaleen or to sign her online guest book.