Mary Louise Koopman

Mary Louise Koopman, 94, passed away on September 3, 2019, in Whittier, California. A funeral service will be held at 10am on Tuesday, September 9, 2019, at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 Philadelphia St., Whittier, California. Interment will follow at Inglewood Park Cemetery, 720 E. Florence Avenue, Inglewood, California.

Louise was born March 8, 1925, in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, the first of three children born to Ira Kenneth and Erma Othelia (West) Cheney. She spent her early years in Kansas, but the family moved to Whittier, California, when Louise was in her teens. She graduated from Whittier High School and went to work for Myers Whittier department store.

On April 23, 1946, Louise married the love of her life, Alfred William Koopman, in Bellflower, California. They eventually settled in Whittier, California, where they raised their three children, Alene, Gary, and James. Louise was a homemaker while her children were young. She later went back to work for JC Penneys Drapery and Dry Cleaning Service until she retired in 1988.

A wonderfully kind individual, Louise always found the good in others. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and she most enjoyed spending time with them. Reading and chatting it up with family and friendsboth locally and throughout the countrywere among her favorite pastimes. Louise was an active member of the Whittier Church of Christ and a volunteer for the American Red Cross.

Louise is survived by her loving children, Alene Kennedy, Gary Koopman and James Koopman; three grandsons, Geoffrey, Derek and Brett Koopman; and six great grandchildren, Jasmine Barnes, Hayden Koopman, Addison Koopman, Kayla Koopman, Finley Koopman and Scarlet Koopman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred, and her brothers, Gilbert and Keith Cheney.