Opal Cooper, 93, of Elmhaven East died there at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009. She had been in failing health.

She was born Aug. 6, 1915, near Fairgrove, Mo., to Roscoe L. and Rena V. (Blunt) Tracy. She came to Parsons with her parents in 1922. She attended Parsons schools and graduated from Parsons High School.

In her early adult years, she worked at Johnson's Cafe and at Cooper's Cafe in the 1900 block of Main.

She married Harold L. Cooper Sr. on March 2, 1934, in Columbus. He preceded her in death on Feb. 27, 2005.

Mrs. Cooper was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where she was active in the United Methodist Women organization and the Criterion Sunday school class until her health declined. She also had been a member of the Metro Anns, the Trainmen's Wives Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Mother's Study Club.

Survivors include a daughter, Susie Smith and her husband, Dub, of Garland, Texas; three sons, Harold L. "Bud" Cooper and his wife, Judy, of Shawnee, Charles Cooper and his wife, Betty, of Cincinnati and Steve Cooper and his wife, Becky, of McCune; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Edna Mog of Frontenac.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Ira Milford Tracy; an infant brother; and a sister, Mildred Louise Lynam.

The service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Rev. Peggy Hillmon officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home, where friends may call any time Friday.

The family suggests memorials to Wesley United Methodist Church or the Labette Community College Foundation and these may be left with the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Robert Lancaster

Robert Lancaster, 80, formerly of Parsons, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009.

He was born in Parsons and enlisted in the Navy after high school. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952. He was a Navy pilot. He received a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from Princeton University, after which he continued in his Navy service until retiring in February 1975.

He continued his engineering work at Advanced Technologies, Black & Decker/PRC and General Electric Engines division with the steam turbine program.

He married Mary Ann Woods. She survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Michael Lancaster and Mark Lancaster; three daughters, Susan Thuma, Julie Lancaster and Patricia Lancaster; and five grandchildren.

The service will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at Arlington National Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, 66675-8517, or the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation, 58 Bennion Road, Annapolis, Md., 21402-1119.

The Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Rd., Springfield, Va., is in charge of arrangements.