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Robert Cooper, 88, of Creston, died Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center. A Celebration of Life service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Pastor Jodi Rushing will officiate. The service will be livestreamed at a link found under events at powersfh.com. Private burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, south of Creston. Open visitation and viewing will be from 2 to 7 p.m., with family receiving friends 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested for an activities project at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center or the Creston United Methodist Church. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.
Robert Lee Cooper was born Dec. 3, 1936, in Charter Oak to Thelma B. (Benson) and Elzie L. Cooper. Bob graduated from Charter Oak High School in 1955.
Bob was united in marriage to Janice Blunk Jan. 20, 1957, in Charter Oak. She later passed away in 1962. Bob was united in marriage to Joyce I. (Nickerson) Squires June 16, 1963, in Nashua. They settled in the Creston area in 1965 when Bob began farming, milking cows and later having a beef herd. He worked as a carpenter for seven years and for the Extension Service and at Hy-Vee. Bob’s last two jobs were 20 years in maintenance for Creston Nursing and Rehab and driving a school bus for Creston Schools.
Bob was a member of the Creston United Methodist Church, Square Dance Club, a hospice volunteer and a 4-H leader for 20 years, serving as a fair board member for many years. Bob and Joyce were honored to be inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2018.
Bob is survived by his wife Joyce Cooper of Creston; two daughters, Penny (Nate) Doolin of Des Moines and Julie (Gary) Levine of Anthem, Arizona; two sons, Mark (Ginger) Squires of Creston and Terry (Amy) Cooper of St. Charles; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister Joane Meeves of Dunlap; brother Ron (Judy) Cooper of Denver, Colorado, and numerous other extended family members.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Janice Cooper; son Gary Cooper; daughter Debra Duff; grandson Brad Lemon; brother Richard Cooper and sister Carolyn Landis.