Herman Odell Cooper, 67, of Bennington, died Friday, Aug. 23, 2002. Mr. Cooper died at his home, with his family at his side, following a long illness.

Funeral services were Monday, Aug. 26, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Valley, with the Rev. Emmett Meyer officiating. Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery in Palmer.

Herman Odell Cooper was born June 21, 1935, in Albany, Ky., to Thomas and Callie (Kyle) Cooper. He grew up in Albany, where he attended grade school. From early on, he was interested in horses and mules.

On Sept. 8, 1956, he married Barbara Santin in Albany. The coupled had two children, and moved to Bennington where they raised a family.

Mr. Cooper was a truck driver and heavy equipment operator, with a membership in Local No. 511 for more than 30 years. He enjoyed buggy rides, camping, horseback riding and hog roasts. He liked to go to the sandpit and out to the farm.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Cathy Coopers of Valley; daughters, Linda Cooper of Omaha; three grandchildren; sisters, Gladys Morgan of Omaha, Dean Baker of Albany, Ky., and Hazel Riddle. He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Kathlene Cooper, Mevil Riddle, Lavel Reneau, and Brenda Johnson.

Reichmuth Funeral Home in Bennington was in charge of arrangement.