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Copeland, Donald L.
Donald L. Copeland, 81, of Solon, died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Lensing's Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Rd., Coralville, from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. at Shueyville United Methodist Church in Shueyville, with burial to follow in the Shueyville Cemetery.
Don was born Jan. 17, 1931, in Okemah, Okla., the son of Oscar and Zada Copeland. He graduated from Okemah High School in 1948. He attended college in Oklahoma before enlisting in the United States Army and served 17 months in Germany. On Dec. 24, 1952, he married the love of his life, Jo Ellen Coale. Don had always known they were meant to be together, and first introduced Jo Ellen as his “girlfriend” at a party when they were only 4 years old.
Don retired from Texaco Oil Co. in 1993 after 28 years of loyal service. Don was an avid sportsman, and especially loved hunting and fishing. He shared this passion by teaching local hunter safety classes for 19 years, and was delighted to have taught his grandsons in these classes.
Don's greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Don is survived by his wife Jo Ellen; two sons, Bruce (Jan) of Cedar Rapids and Mark (Amy) of Davenport; a daughter, Sue (Greg) Kuntz of Coralville; nine grandchildren, Robert Copeland of North Liberty, Scott Copeland of West Des Moines, Alyssa and Monica Copeland of Davenport, Brian and Steven Copeland of Cedar Rapids, and Alex, Nick and Ben Kuntz of Coralville. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, C.J. Garrett; a sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Copeland; and nephews, James Garrett, John Copeland and James Copeland.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Copeland; and a sister, Carolyn Garrett.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com
Published Sept. 17, 2012 in The Gazette
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