Campaign Raises Funds For Funeral Of New Lenox Teen

NEW LENOX, IL — A Facebook fundraiser has been created as a memorial for 15-year-old Charlie Cooper and to help allow his mother Bobbi Cooper time to heal. Charlie and 17-year-old Jacob Manka of Mokena were both killed by a Metra train on May 22. Charlie's body was recovered three days later on May 25.

The incident had occurred on the bridge over Hickory Creek near Pilcher Park in Joliet. Cooper's body was recovered in Hickory Creek near South Joliet Street in Joliet Township.

According to the Facebook campaign,the funds will be used toward funeral expenses for Charlie. So far, $21,010 has been raised out of a $25,000 goal. The money has been raised by 517 people in just 4 days.

"Again, no monetary value can take away Bobbi’s pain but this can at least help some of the additional financial stress of planning a funeral to bury her one and only son, and allow her time to take time for herself," the campaign states.

According to his obituary, Charlie was a freshman at Lincoln-Way Central High School and had graduated eighth grade from Alex J. Martino Junior High School with high honors.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 30 from 2 to 9 p.m. at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road, New Lenox. Funeral service will be held Friday, May 31, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Will County Humane Society would be appreciated.

Many community members helped search for Charlie's body and a vigil was also held this past weekend for both Charlie and Jacob Manka.

A GoFundMe campaign has also been created for Manka.