Omer C. Koopman

Omer C. Koopman, age 91, of Bloomington, died on Monday, March 22, 2010, at his home. He was born on September 3, 1918, in Bloomington, the son of Martin and Catherine (Nurre) Koopman. Omer graduated from St. Marys Catholic School in Bloomington. On November 6, 1940, he was united in marriage to Margaret M. OShaughnessy at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Seneca. After their marriage, they farmed on the Koopman family farm for sixty years. Omer also sold insurance for twenty years with Rural Insurance Company. He enjoyed playing softball, golf, cards and craps at the casino. Omer was a three time State Corn Husking Champion in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He was a devoted member of St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington, the Holy Name Society and was a Prayer Warrior for the Lord.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-nine years, Margaret Koopman, Bloomington; three daughters: Mary Sue (Earl) Sewell, Vilonina, AR; Sharon Barr, DeWitt, IA; Barbara Moss, Bloomington and one son, Jim (Laurie) Koopman, Cassville; twenty-one grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Munson, California and Rita Koopman, Milton; and many nieces and nephews.

Omer was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tonya Monroe; three sons-in-law: Terry Monroe, John Barr, and Ben Moss; two brothers: Father Leander Koopman and Ralph (Mary) Koopman; and a brother-in-law, Ed Munson.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 25, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father Bart Timmerman officiating. Burial was in St. Marys Cemetery, Bloomington. Family and friends called on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington where a rosary was held at 2:45 p.m. Friends also called on Thursday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of services. In lieu of plants and flowers, an Omer C. Koopman memorial fund has been established.