Cooper, Grace Blanc (1922-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Jun 23 p. 1

Birth date: 1922

text of obituary:

Missionary And 4 Children Among 12 Persons Killed in Mexico Tragedy

Carryall Collides With Truck, Killing Mrs. David Cooper And 11 of 14 Passengers

Hillsboro, Kan. — A tragic highway accident near Durango, Mexico on Saturday, June 18, claimed the lives of Mrs. David Cooper, Mennonite Brethren missionary, four of the Cooper children and seven Mexican young people, according to word received at the M. B. mission headquarters here. All were riding in a carry-all driven by Mrs. Cooper.

Accounts of the accident received here stated that Mrs. Cooper and four youngest children were on a deputation trip with a group of 10 choir members from the Bible school at Neuvo [sic Nuevo] Ideal. A tire blowout caused the heavily loaded vehicle to swerve into the path of a truck, killing all but three of the occupants. Mrs. Cooper was said to be an excellent driver.

Three Critically Injured

The three Mexican young people who survived were reported on the critical list, but no further word has been received of their condition. The Cooper children who died in the crash were Sharon Elizabeth 8, Katherine Emily 4, Rebecca Jeanne 3, and Stephen David, one and a half.

Rev. Cooper, the husband and father, and the two older children had planned to join the traveling group later, according to information received here. Rev. Cooper was a 1954 graduate of Tabor College and former Spanish instructor there.

Burial at Durango

In compliance with Mexican law, burial of all of the victims took place the following day, Sunday. The funeral services were held at Durango and burial was made there also. A memorial service was held at the Hillsboro M. B. church Sunday evening.

Mrs. Cooper, who was 33 years of age, was the former Grace Blanc. In addition to her husband and two children, she is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alan R. Blanc, of Blythe, Calif. She was a member of the Buhler M. B. church.