Jim Copeland, 96, formerly of El Dorado, passed away on Oct. 5, 2024, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
Jim was born on June 16, 1928, in Monmouth, Illinois, to Ross and Nellie (Robb) Copeland. He was raised in Seattle, Washington, but ventured back to Kansas to attend Sterling College. There,
he met his wife, June Whittaker, and they were married on June 2, 1951. Jim was a graduate of Sterling College and received his master?s degree from Wichita State University. Jim and his family of five moved to El Dorado,
where he served as guidance counselor at the junior high school for 28 years. Through the years, not only was Jim involved in the school system, he was also involved in numerous community/youth organizations, such as Big Brothers,
Jaycees, Boy Scouts of America, and the Kansas Trails Council. Jim was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of El Dorado. In 1986, Jim and June retired. They enjoyed 20 years of retirement together, traveling
with family and friends and working as volunteer rangers in Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado.
One of Jim?s greatest gifts was his love and support for his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, June; daughter-in-law, Jeanie; sister, Barbara;
and brother, Dean.
Jim is survived by his sister, Marilyn Kauzlarich; his three children, Reed (Jill) Copeland of Hesston, Kan., Linn Copeland of Wellington, Kan., and Christine Keefer (Andy), of Addison,
Pa.; grandchildren; Justin (Shannon) Copeland, Alicia Copeland, Jame (Chandra) Copeland, Rachel (Lane) Knight, Mindy (Ben) Emch, and Adam (Amber) Keefer; 18 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for visitation at Carlson Colonial Funeral Home in El Dorado on Monday, Oct. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. A graveside service will immediately follow at Walnut Valley
Memorial Park. A memorial chapel service will be held at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kansas, at 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14.
Memorial donations can be directed towards Age to Age Kindergarten Class USD-445, Schowalter Villa Benevolent Fund, and Hesston Community Childcare.
