Mary Margaret Cooper Shaffer

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.

Harold, age 20, was studying at McKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois, where Mary finished high school, while he finished college. Then, Harold took a pastor-in-training job, and they made a home in Annapolis, Illinois. Mary gave birth to their only child, Lila Marie.

Mary had her eyes set on becoming a teacher, but the time for school for her had not arrived. While Harold worked on a seminary degree at Emory University in Atlanta, Mary worked as a secretary-she was a terrific typist. Harold earned some money by preaching at various churches, but the three of them had to get by on very little. Family remembers them talking about surviving on a donated chicken for a week at a time.

Harold graduated and started preaching. Lila was five years old when he took an ordained pastor posting in the United Methodist Church, in Brownstown, Illinois. Mary took up the challenge of finishing her education. She commuted to Greenville College and then to SIU-Edwardsville, where she got a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

The little family moved to Lawrenceville. It was time to settle down. Mary dove into teaching with gusto. She taught elementary school with Unit 20. Lila went to school, Harold took a sabbatical from pastoring and took up various jobs, and they bought a small farm.

But Mary set a new goal for herself as her heart turned toward teaching special education. A determined woman, she worked for years on a special education master’s degree from the University of Illinois, long distance. Meanwhile, Harold took up pastoring again. He commuted to several assignments from their farm near Pinkstaff, where Lila grew up. They also traveled in the summers to locations ranging from Alaska to Hawaii.

Mary retired at 59 to enjoy some time with Harold. They continued to travel to places like Thailand and Spain. They furthered their hobbies of gardening and canning, refinishing furniture, and maintaining the farm: it was relaxing but active life. Mary and Harold cooked together. She created gorgeous quilts and other needlework. Her teacher’s heart also led her to encourage and tutor young people. In 2018, Harold passed away suddenly.

Mary herself went to be with Jesus April 12, 2024. She is survived by her daughter, Lila Marie 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.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.