Marion Richard Cooley, 89 of Stronghurst, Illinois died at 11:15 P.M. Sunday September 14, 2008 in the Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab Center in Stronghurst. He was born May 11, 1919 in Eliza, Illinois, the son of Jesse and Ivy Driver Cooley. On February 21, 1976, he married Betty Abernathy.

Mr. Cooley was a U.S. Army veteran of world war II. He was truck driver for many years and retired from J.I. Case Company in Bettendorf, IA. He was a member of the Teamsters Union and a lifetime member of the V.F.W.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, two daughters - Mary June Anderson of Marseilles, Illinois, Peggy Ann Cooley of Ottawa, Illinois, one step daughter - Cindy Kay Lawyer of Charleston, Illinois, four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by two brothers - Herb and LaVon Cooley.

A memorial service, and military rites, will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday September 20, 2008 in the Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst with Rev. John Bremer officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston, Illinois at 1:30 P.M. Friday October 3, 2008. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established.