Mary Margaret (Cooper) Shaffer was born June 8, 1945 in Cisne, Illinois, to Mary Helen Neff Cooper and Glen Eldo Cooper. She lived in Flora, Illinois, with her family until three months short of her 17th birthday, when she married a dashing young pastor in training, Harold Shaffer of Lawrence County, Illinois. Mary was a Special Education teacher for Unti 20 for twenty plus years.
Mary went to be with Jesus April 12, 2024. She is survived by her daughter, Lila Shaffer Manzo of Lawrenceville; her granddaughter, Marie Manzo of St. Louis; sister, Mable Bullard and husband, Gary of Keenes; and nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are brother, Glen Edward Cooper and wife, Ruth Ann; brother, Harold Leon Cooper, sister, Ruby Cooper Turner and husband, Steve; and niece, Glenda Cooper.
In reflecting during her final days, Mary shared with family, “I really have lived a good life”.
Visitation is Friday, April 19, 2024 from 4:00pm until 6:00 PM CDT at the Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois. There will be a committal service Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 10:30am CDT at the Derr Cemetery, followed by a funeral service at the Pinkstaff United Methodist Church in Pinkstaff, Illinois at 11:30am CDT. Memorial donations may be given to the Preacher’s Aid Society and Benefit Fund of the United Methodist Church or to the United Methodist Community on Relief.
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