Mary R. Mendenhall

Mary Ruth Rippy (Cooper) Mendenhall, age 86, died February 16, 2011, surrounded by her children and grandchildren in a circle of love and prayers. She was born in West Terre Haute on April 24, 1924, the oldest daughter of Olen S. and Lena Huntley Rippy of Linton. She graduated from Clay City High School and took training in business support. She married Kenneth Wayne (Rube) Cooper in 1943 and to that marriage, Sharon Rose, Jerry Wayne and Larry Dale were born. In 1950 she spent 18 months recovering from TB at the Rockville TB hospital and upon returning to Hendricks County, moved to Plainfield with her three children. She was employed at Public Service Company of Indiana for 35 years and sold antiques at Gilly's Antique Mall for several years after her retirement. She was a woman of integrity, who spent her life devoted to her children and grandchildren and hard work. In 1964, she married Billy Mendenhall and they continued their lives together happily until his death from cancer. She enjoyed boating on weekends with her husband and family, and in later years, antiquing, working in her flowers, reading and working crossword puzzles. Survivors include daughter, Sharon and husband, Keith Brock of Stilesville; 2 sons; Jerry and wife Jonnie Cooper also of Stilesville and Larry and wife Cindy Cooper of Monrovia; 7 grandchildren; Lisa Wyeth, Rene Cooper, David Brock, John & Clay Cooper, Jessica White and Jennifer Cooper; 7 great grandchildren; Andy & Katie Brock, Madison, Alex, Emma Cooper, Archie White and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings, Olen Jr, Betty Jean (Norman "Bud" Cline) and Billy (Dixie). Funeral services will be Monday, February 21, at 10:30 am in Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield, where friends may call from 2-6 pm on Sunday, February 20. Burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.Contributions may be made to Sheltering Wings or charity of choice.