Donna M. Cooper, 81, of Mendota, passed away unexpectedly, May 22, 2021 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa.

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

Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday June 3, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Mendota with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Mendota. Visitation will be Wednesday June 2, 2021 from 4-7 p.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Born April 18, 1937, in Peru, Illinois, she was the daughter of Elmer and Dorothy (Locke) Trattner.

Donna grew up in LaSalle, Illinois and was a 1955 graduate of LaSalle-Peru Township High School. After graduating from LP, 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 Mike and Mark. Donna and her husband, the late Bob Cooper, were big supporters of Mendota 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. She also enjoyed reading and watching current event news stories on television.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Robert "Bob" Cooper on November 28, 2019, her parents Elmer and Dorothy Trattner and her sister Geraldine Asal.

She is survived by her sons Michael (Trisha) Cooper and Mark (Sally) Cooper and grandchildren Anthony, Jonathan, Seth and Gabrielle all of Ottawa.

Memorials may be directed to the Ottawa Booster Club or Mendota High School.