Peggy Josephine Zehr was born on September 26, 1936, in Shamrock, Oklahoma, to Richard and Hazel (Owensby) Cooper. She passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the age of 89. She grew up in Torrance, California, and graduated from Narbonne High School in Harbor City, CA where she was a twirler in the band that marched in the Rose Bowl Parade.

Peggy met the love of her life, Jay Dee Zehr, on a blind date, and the two were married shortly thereafter in Torrance, CA. The couple moved to Alva, Oklahoma, where Jay Dee attended college, and together they began a lifelong adventure in teaching and coaching. Peggy devoted her life to being a homemaker, raising their nine children, and faithfully supporting her husband’s career.

Throughout the years, the Zehr family lived in numerous communities across Kansas and Oklahoma, creating lasting friendships wherever they went. Upon Jay Dee’s retirement, they managed a marina at Fort Cobb Lake, where they discovered their shared love for the outdoors and a slower pace of life.

Peggy especially loved attending Morgan horse shows in Oklahoma City and never missed an opportunity to cheer at a sporting event—especially if it involved her children or grandchildren. Her favorite pastime was chasing kids and grandkids and supporting them in everything they did. She was known as Grandma, Great Grandma, Great Grandma Peggy, Grandma Zehr, Grandma Piggy, Andma, MawMaw, MawMaw Maynard, and Mema Peggy.

She was a proud member of the First United Methodist Church in Hinton, Oklahoma, and a devoted patriot who loved her country deeply. In honor of her love for the USA, Peggy requested that those attending her service wear red, white, and blue.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Hazel Cooper, her husband of 56 years, Jay Dee Zehr, granddaughter-in-law, son-in-law, JL Talley, Dustie Hart, cousin, Mary Ellen Baxter and a group of lifelong friends referred to as Ledesma-Yadon-Zehr group and her beloved extended family on Jay Dee’s side.

She is survived by 9 children, 27 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren; Jodie Zehr of Mooreland, OK, and her children, Jennifer Sabedra and her children, Macey, Dylan, Paisley, Joshua Harvy and his children, Jaxon, Addisen, Nora Grace, and C.D. Hall, Joel Zehr and wife Judy of San Marcos, TX and their son, Jordan and wife Elizabeth and their daughter, Emilia, JaDena Hansen and her husband Terry of Hinton, OK and their children, Latesha Margerum and husband Justin and their children, Braden Hansen and wife Carlie and Duncan Margerum, Shane Hansen and wife Kaylyn and their children, Ryne, Sutton and Stella, Tanner Hansen and wife Ashley and their children, Ronan and Tate, Kaci Short and husband Zack and their children, Harrison and Audrey, Janell Hart and husband Kelvin of Hydro, OK and their children, Kelis Hart and Taylor Branson and his children Korbin and Rylee and Lyndon Hart and his children, Raelynn and Emma, and Jacob Hart, Jay Zehr and Lorinda Grinstead of Copeland, KS and his children, Chesnei Thomas and husband Derrick and their children, Asa and Bays, Baylei Hada and husband Jerrad and their children Holden and Henley, Jamin Hinds and husband Larry of Keyes, OK and their children Jessica Hinds and her child Parker, Raymond Hinds and Kayla Lechner and husband Ryan and their children, Colin and Owen, Jeffrey Zehr and wife Shawnda of Norman, OK and their children Caisen Zehr and Andi Daniel and their child Ross, Caiden, Paicer, and Landen, Jill Talley of Moore, OK and her children, Kyle Howe and wife Christina and their children, Liliana and Hunter, Zac Howe and wife Allison and their children Hucksley and Beckham and Alexia Hirsch and husband Christian and Tameka Talley, and Jayna Sloan and husband Jim of Lock Haven, PA and their children Colton Sloan and wife Kylie and baby girl due in April and Cooper and Eli.

Peggy’s legacy of love, faith, and family will live on through all who knew her.

Peggy’s family would like to thank Maple Lawn Manor and Russell-Murray Hospice for their exceptional care over the years.

Please send memorial donations to Russell-Murray Hospice 2001 Parkview Dr, El Reno, OK 73036

A memorial service will be held, 3PM, Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Hinton, OK, Rev. Lance Ashmore officiating.

Services under the direction of Turner Funeral Homes, Hinton, OK.