Rev. Dr. Joanne Pep Cooke

Rev. Dr. Joanne E. "Pep" Cooke, 81, of East Peoria, IL and former Methodist Minister of RiversEdge United Methodist Church, Spring Bay, IL passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 1:18 PM at Riverview in East Peoria. She was born on March 9, 1933 in Mansfield, OH to Joseph E. and Margery (Herbrand) Peppard. She married Cedric W. Cooke on June 10, 1976 in Bloomington, IL. He died on April 12, 1984. Surviving are her sister Mary Lou (Donald) Green of Mansfield, OH and numerous nieces and nephews. Pep was the first doctorate candidate and graduate in Education and Administration form Illinois State University in 1966. She received her Bachelors degree from Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH and her MS from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL. Pep taught high school and college in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. She later worked in college administration. In 1982 she was ordained as a Methodist minister. She served churches in Indiana and Illinois. She was a NCAA and IHSA official for volleyball, softball and basketball for many years. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 11:00 am at RiversEdge United Methodist Church, Spring Bay with Reverend Ray Harrison officiating with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Lexington, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Chaddock Inc. Children?s Home in Quincy, IL or Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.