Ben Lloyd Cooper, Jr.

Ben Lloyd Cooper, Jr., 78, of Whiting, Iowa, passed away Thursday, July 27, 2023, at his residence, surrounded by his family.

A funeral mass will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix, Iowa, with Father Michael Erpelding, celebrant, officiating. A live stream of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Ben’s obituary.  A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Burial will follow the luncheon in the Onawa Cemetery, Onawa, Iowa, with Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force and the David McNeill American Legion Post #129, Onawa, Iowa. Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday, July 31, 2023, with a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00 P.M. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Salix, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Ben Lloyd Cooper, Jr., was born on September 23, 1944 in Chanute, Kansas, the son of Ben Lloyd Sr. and Elizabeth Ann (Britt) Cooper. He graduated from West Monona High School with the class of 1963. Ben married Dorothy Richardson on December 22, 1965. Ben served in the United States Air Force from January 26, 1968 and was honorably discharged May 28, 1969.  He continued his service with the United States Reserve until 1971.

Ben loved everything about airplanes. His grandfather and dad built the Pietenpol Airplanes. Ben became an airplane mechanic and pilot. He also was the owner/operator of MAC Tools. Ben was a hard worker and loved to make lists of chores to do the next day. Ben would finish his hard-working days with a relaxing airplane ride with his family and friends.

He married Monica (Swerczek) Kavanaugh on August 30, 2021, in Onawa, Iowa. Ben and Monica owned/operated a real estate business for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Monica Kavanaugh-Cooper, of Whiting, Iowa; children, Sherry (Jeff) Hatten, Kayla Kavanaugh, Kristin Kavanaugh, and Jacob (Sammie) Kavanaugh; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Leslie) Hatten, Benjamin (Braydee) Hatten, Addison, Karlie, Raegan, and Jentry Kavanaugh; great-grandchild, Levi Thomas Hatten; cousins, Robin (Laura) Cooper, Kevin (Patty) Cooper, and Celia (Hal) Applebeaum; and other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Elizabeth (Britt) Cooper; brother, Everett Cooper; cousin, Cassie Harrison; uncle, Bob Cooper; and aunts, Aldine Sirl, Evelyn Cooke, Marjorie Hocket, and Marjorie Harrison.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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