Patsy Jean O’Haver Cooley, 81, formerly of Ottumwa, died October 19, 2022, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.
She was born February 21, 1941, in Redfield, AR to John Wesley and Minnie Mae (Worsham) O’Haver. She married Robert Alterman Cooley on December 31, 1959, he preceded her in death on November 30, 2005.
She moved from Redfield, AR, to Green Castle, MO, then to Kirksville, MO. She attended Free Will Baptist Church in Kirksville. A resident of Kirksville, MO until 1966 when she moved to Ottumwa, IA.
Patsy graduated from the Welding and Machinist programs at IHCC in Ottumwa. She was hired as a welder at John Deere Ottumwa Works. She worked there for 22 1⁄2 years, retiring in 2001. She was the first woman welder to be hired there.
Patsy was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt. Her selfless love, kind heart, and humor will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and pet companions.
Surviving are her children, Robert Randall Cooley (Susan), Timothy Mark Cooley (Kimberli), and Beth Ann Lampe (Alan), and Robin Reyes and family; grandchildren, Brandy Cooley Sanchez (Roberto), Terina Cooley Nauman (Kyle), Tori Cooley Hager (Ian), Morgan Hernandez, Autumn Cooley, and Collin Lampe; great grandchildren, Tyler Nauman, Brooklynn Nauman, Lyllian Hager, Eleanor Hager; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her siblings, John O’Haver, Carl O’Haver, Solomon Andrew O’Haver, Lewis Edgar O’Haver, Betty O’Haver Mays, Anna O’Haver Foster, and Earline Cleveland; and grandchildren, Meagan McVey, and James Cooley.
Visitation will begin at 12 p.m. Friday, October 28th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, October 29th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Mel Kendall officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville, MO.
Memorials may be made to Hospice, Heartland Humane Society, or an animal rescue program.
