Ethel Irene (Cooke) Rader

Ethel Irene Rader, 86 of Peru, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 28, 2025 at Dukes Memorial Hospital.

She was born November 25, 1938, in Springfield, OH to Bonnie (Myers) Cooke and Clifford Cooke. She married Jimmie Wayne Rader on April 5, 1964 in Mexico, IN.

Ethel was a retired homemaker that had a passion for sewing, quilting, knitting and crochet. She loved to keep up on politics and was outspoken in her beliefs. Another passion included her Chihuahua dogs.

She is survived by children, Betty Gessner (Rob), Miamisburg, OH; Cheryl Pratty, KY; Shelia Foster, Peru, IN; Sharon Ouchie (Justin), Glencoe, AL; Jimmie Rader (Denella), Peru, IN; Walter Rader (Mary Anne), Royal Center, IN; Richard Rader (Elvie), Apollo Beach, FL; step-daughter Julie Hundley, CA; along with grandchildren, Travis Rader (Betha) Rader, Peru, IN; Summer Ewart (Jason), Buffalo, IN; Jerrad Rader (Gabby), Ft Johnson, LA; Steven Rader, Madison, SD; Ryan Rader, Indianapolis; Letecia Rader, Metairie, LA; Tora Thomas, Joshua Ouchie (Hailey), step grandchildren included, Jeremy Browning, Peru, IN; Alyssa Browning, Kokomo, IN; Kale Burkett-Rader, Rochester, IN; Aimee Neal; Staci Carlton; Stephanie Foltz; Sarah Gessner. She had 12 great grandchildren and was expecting her first great great grandchild on March 27.

She is also survived by siblings, Helen Baird, DE; Richard “Buck” Cooke, OH; Gail Cooke, NJ.

Ethel was proceeded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Margaret Collins; granddaughter, Teila Pena; grandson, Sean Ouchie; sisters, Jackie Mansfield and Connie Mendoza.

There will be a private graveside service at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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