Marybelle Cooper

A memorial service for Marybelle Cooper, 69, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home. Cremation is planned.
Mrs. Cooper died Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at her home, of cancer.
She was born Oct. 1, 1941, in Van Wert, Ohio, the daughter of Helen Glander and Raymond Mosier of rural Middle Point, Ohio.
She was an avid horsewoman who started training horses in high school. She was a charter member of the first 4-H club in Van Wert County and later an adult adviser/instructor. She was also active with the early 4-H horse judging contests in Ohio. Her special passion was Arabian horses. She and her husband had the first purebred Arabian in Van Wert County. In 1972, Mrs. Cooper rode that horse on her first long-distance competition, a two-day, 60- mile competitive trail ride. Distance riding became a lifelong passion.
Mrs. Cooper joined the Arabian Association of Ohio and chaired the trail committee for many years. For 35 years, she was also a member of the national trail committees of the International Arabian Horse Association. After moving to Lawrence in 1986, the breeding operation was expanded and Mrs. Cooper continued long-distance rides. Her record includes national champions and top 10s in both endurance and competitive trail rides at distances of 50 and 100 miles. These were accomplished primarily on horses she bred and raised. She competed in distance competitions in 29 states and Canada. In Kansas, Mrs. Cooper helped form the Middle of the Trail Distance Riding Association. She taught many children and adults to ride and enjoyed riding with her grandsons.
Mrs. Cooper enjoyed traveling with her husband. They visited all 50 states, mostly in their RV. They recently spent their 50th wedding anniversary in Hawaii.
She married Delbert Dwight Cooper on Dec. 10, 1960. He survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Denny Cooper, Damar, and Tony Cooper and wife Annette, rural Overbrook; and five grandsons, Anthony, Justin, Nathan, Dalton and Trevor. Her mother, sister and brother in Ohio also survive.
Following services, there will be a gathering for friends and family at Washington Creek Church, 609 E. 550th Road, Lawrence. 
The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Humane Society, sent in care of the funeral home, 3821 W. Sixth St., Lawrence, KS 66049.
Online condolences may be sent at barnettchapeloaks.com.