Clara Marie Cooper was born November 14 (grandma always said this year was an unlisted number).  She departed this life July 13, 2024, peacefully at home with her beloved Wayne and her two granddaughters, Wendi and Tawni by her side.

She was born in Ludlow, Illinois to Noble and Georgia Beck.  She moved to Southern Indiana, Star City.  Her dad bought a farm in Kouts, Indiana, where she was raised.

Clara raised her four children while farming 200 acres, running two restaurants, and going to college to be a teacher.  Along came slow walking talking, Wayne.  Clara and Wayne started their life adventures together in the art career.  They were united in marriage on March 26, 1962.  They traveled and worked in 46 states, Mexico and Canada.

She put Wayne through college for his art career and promised to be right by his side to make him famous.  She was the glue that held everything together.

Clara was truly the sweetest, most caring woman.  She took care of the whole family and made sure that nobody went without.  She was very proud of her French heritage.

She is survived by her husband, Wayne Cooper; one brother, Bill Beck; three sisters, Marilyn, D'ann, and JoAnn; twelve grandchildren, Bryan, Ronnie, Jason, Jeremy, Jared, Jamie, Kevin, Tina, Robert Wayne, Wendi, Tawni, and Tommy and seventeen great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, four children, Nancy Robbins, Bob Klemz, Sandra Hessling, Patti Holst, five sisters, Betty, Fern, Cordelia, Mary, Irene, and Wayne.

Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00PM, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the Hutchins Maples Matherly Funeral Home with interment to follow at the Oakdale Cemetery, Depew, Oklahoma.