Juanita I. Cooper

Juanita I. (Riblet) Cooper passed away March 24, 2026 at Avantara Nursing Home, Aurora. She was a lifelong resident of the Streator area.

She was born August 17, 1927 at home to John and Bertha (Melvin) Riblet. She attended Long Point, Cornell and Streator area schools. She married Howard E. Cooper of Lostant on August 18, 1946 in Cornell. They had one daughter, Jacqueline Lee Cooper, born March 29, 1947.

She is survived by her daughter, Jackie (Hank) Conrad of Sugar Grove; two grandchildren, Leann Sondgeroth of Aurora and Derek (Sandra) Lowkewicz of Hawthorn Woods; three great grandchildren, Elijah and Amelia Sondgeroth and Samantha Lowkewicz. Also surviving is a nephew, John M. “Jack” Riblet of Camarillo, CA; and several great nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Howard Cooper on August 11, 1999; her brother, Glenn M. Riblet of Streator; and two nephews, Arthur “Art” Riblet of Streator and Lawrence “Larry” Riblet of Bloomington.

A celebration of Juanita’s Life was held at Hagi & Schultz Funeral Home, Streator, on Friday, March 27, 2026. Burial was held in Long Point Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mike Cooper, Greg Kreiser, Kevin Riblet, John Riblet, Rob Dellinger, Darrin Rafferty.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice.