1924
Carl
2013
Carl Coplen
May 11, 1924 — December 30, 2013
Biography
Carl "Dean" Coplen , 89, formerly of Warsaw died peacefully on Monday, December 30, 2013 in Banner Gardens Hospice House, Mesa, Arizona. He and his wife had made their home in Mesa since 1999.
Dean was born May 11, 1924 in Akron, Indiana to Lee and Cora (Zimmerman) Coplen. He was a 1942 graduate of Gilead High School where he was the first of many Coplen's to play basketball. He met Helen Landis of Akron, Indiana and they were married October 16, 1943.
Dean joined the Army shortly after their marriage. After his discharge from the Army, Dean had a lifetime career with the Pennsylvania Railroad and Conrail and also worked part time for Abshire Oil and Lewis Shell Oil.
No matter what his hours were he always had time for family. He was known these past few years for wearing a very distinctive red corduroy hat that usually didn’t match the rest of his outfit. When Dean was unable to attend the June 2013 wedding of his grandson, Ryan, a collage was made with all of the family having their picture taken with the red hat on - even the bride and groom.
Dean is survived by a daughter and son-in-law: Sandy and Jack Moore of Mesa, Arizona; 2 sons and daughters-in-law: Randy and Diane Coplen of Wichita, Kansas; and John and Kathy Coplen of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The nine grandchildren who also survive are: Mark Wiseman and Travis Wiseman - both of Mesa; Ryan Coplen and Michele Coplen - both of Searcy, Arkansas; Andrea Coplen and Daniel Coplen - both of Ft Wayne; Marla Palmer, Mesa; Michelle Moore, Marion, Indiana and Will Hilton of Hastings, Minnesota. There are also 11 great-grandchildren. They were preceded in death by their oldest son, Terry, who passed away from an illness in 1964. Also surviving are 3 brothers: Bob and Muriel Coplen, Fort Wayne; Ralph and Barbara Coplen, Warsaw; and Dale and Beverly Coplen of North Manchester, Indiana; and a sister: Ruth Chandler of Indianapolis. Dean was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Cora Coplen, 2 brothers: Charles Coplen and Wayne Coplen; and a sister, June Brown.
Family and friends will gather for a time of sharing in support of each other Tuesday, January 7th from 10 AM - 12 Noon at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw. A service celebrating the lives of Carl "Dean" and Helen Irene Coplen will follow beginning at 12 Noon in the funeral home. Pastor David Hummel of Trinity United Methodist Church, of which both were members, will officiate.
The family has asked that gifts in memory of Dean and Helen be given to Baker Youth Club, 765 W. Market Street, Warsaw, Indiana 46580 or to La Bella Vita, c/o Aldrich Telan, 7515 Farmdale Road, Mesa, Arizona 85208.
The staff of Titus Funeral Home considers it a privilege to care for the family and friends of Carl "Dean" Coplen.
Carl "Dean" Coplen , 89, formerly of Warsaw died peacefully on Monday, December 30, 2013 in Banner Gardens Hospice House, Mesa, Arizona. He and his wife had made their home in Mesa since 1999.
Dean was born May 11, 1924 in Akron, Indiana to Lee and Cora (Zimmerman) Coplen. He was a 1942 graduate of Gilead High School where he was the first of many Coplen's to play basketball. He met Helen Landis of Akron, Indiana and they were married October 16, 1943.
Dean joined the Army shortly after their marriage. After his discharge from the Army, Dean had a lifetime career with the Pennsylvania Railroad and Conrail and also worked part time for Abshire Oil and Lewis Shell Oil.
No matter what his hours were he always had time for family. He was known these past few years for wearing a very distinctive red corduroy hat that usually didn’t match the rest of his outfit. When Dean was unable to attend the June 2013 wedding of his grandson, Ryan, a collage was made with all of the family having their picture taken with the red hat on - even the bride and groom.
Dean is survived by a daughter and son-in-law: Sandy and Jack Moore of Mesa, Arizona; 2 sons and daughters-in-law: Randy and Diane Coplen of Wichita, Kansas; and John and Kathy Coplen of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The nine grandchildren who also survive are: Mark Wiseman and Travis Wiseman - both of Mesa; Ryan Coplen and Michele Coplen - both of Searcy, Arkansas; Andrea Coplen and Daniel Coplen - both of Ft Wayne; Marla Palmer, Mesa; Michelle Moore, Marion, Indiana and Will Hilton of Hastings, Minnesota. There are also 11 great-grandchildren. They were preceded in death by their oldest son, Terry, who passed away from an illness in 1964. Also surviving are 3 brothers: Bob and Muriel Coplen, Fort Wayne; Ralph and Barbara Coplen, Warsaw; and Dale and Beverly Coplen of North Manchester, Indiana; and a sister: Ruth Chandler of Indianapolis. Dean was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Cora Coplen, 2 brothers: Charles Coplen and Wayne Coplen; and a sister, June Brown.
Family and friends will gather for a time of sharing in support of each other Tuesday, January 7th from 10 AM - 12 Noon at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw. A service celebrating the lives of Carl "Dean" and Helen Irene Coplen will follow beginning at 12 Noon in the funeral home. Pastor David Hummel of Trinity United Methodist Church, of which both were members, will officiate.
The family has asked that gifts in memory of Dean and Helen be given to Baker Youth Club, 765 W. Market Street, Warsaw, Indiana 46580 or to La Bella Vita, c/o Aldrich Telan, 7515 Farmdale Road, Mesa, Arizona 85208.
The staff of Titus Funeral Home considers it a privilege to care for the family and friends of Carl "Dean" Coplen.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carl Coplen, please visit our flower store.
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