Coppess, Gary Gene

Gary Gene Coppess of Lowden, Iowa, died peacefully on Sept. 9, 2011, at the age of 74 in Mercy Iowa City, with the presence of his family. A private family celebration of his life will take place at a later time. His final resting place will be in Evergreen Cemetery at Grand Mound.

Gary was born Feb. 13, 1937, at Stanwood, Iowa, to Loren and Pearl (Benning) Coppess. The family live in Stanwood until moving to Lowden in 1946. He was a 1956 graduate of Lowden High School and was confirmed in the United Church of Christ.

He was a partner in the Coppess Oil Co. and tank wagon service with his father and brother, Jon. Gary later worked as a Cedar County road maintainer until he retired.

Gary was a loving and caring man, had a good life and enjoyed his family immensely. He was the greatest uncle to all of his nieces and nephews, often showing photos of his beautiful nieces. He enjoyed Big Band, polka and old country music. Gary also enjoyed fishing, hunting, skeet shooting, and auctions in DeWitt. He also could be found driving the country roads, eating out with his friends and gathering with his group of old friends at Ditto's in Stanwood.

His survivors include his brother, Jon (Joyce) Coppess of Iowa City; and his sister, Mary Kay Benton of Elwood, Iowa. Gary was uncle to Jody (Dan) Albers of Hollywood, Fla., Jill Coppess of Westwood, Kan., Christopher Coppess of La Crosse, Wis., Michael (Pam) Benton of Lost Nation, Tracy Benton Collins of Maquoketa, and Hope (Joel) Benton Burken of Rolla, Mo. He was great-uncle to Chelsea Albers, Austin Albers, Tara (Todd) Noonan, Megan Benton, Eric Benton, Mary Lynne Collins, Sarah Collins, Olivia Burken, Mya Burken and Eli Burken. Gary was also a great-great-uncle to Tayden and Nova. He was a very fun uncle to all.

Preceding Gary in death were his parents; a great-niece, Mary Lynn Albers; and a brother-in-law, Tom Benton.

The family would like to offer their thanks to the many friends who visited Gary at Crestview Nursing Home in West Branch.

Condolences may be expressed at .

Schultz Funeral Home, Grand Mound, caring for the arrangements.

Published Sept. 11, 2011, in The Gazette