Obituary of Gordon A. Copas

Gordon A. Copas, 91, formerly of Rockford, Illinois, passed away at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in King, Wisconsin, on March 8, 2019, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born to the late George and Maude Copas, September 28, 1927 in Belvidere, Illinois. Gordon attended school in Belvidere and graduated from Belvidere High School in 1945. He served in World War II in the United States Navy in the South Pacific from 1945-1946. At the end of the war, Gordon attended Rockford College and later built a career in the engineering department at Anderson Brothers where he worked for 31 years. Gordon Married Mary Ann Hawkinson on March 11, 1950. She preceded him in death. Together, they had two children and made a wonderful life together. They especially enjoyed hosting and attending family gatherings, traveling and cooking together. Gordon was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Gordon is survived by his children: Michael (Linda) Copas of Plainfield, Wisconsin, Cheryl (James) Kinderman of Kronenwetter, Wisconsin; four grandchildren: Brad Kinderman, Brian Kinderman, Michael (Laura Valenstein) Copas, and Melissa (Craig) Sylte; four great-grandchildren; sister: Lorraine Johnson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helen and Roger Myers; and sister-in-law, Stella Hawkinson, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Ann; sisters: Alice Grimes, Betty Filmore, Grace Burnham; brothers: Alfred Copas, Walter Copas; and by other sisters-and brothers-in-law, as well as special friend, Polly Thomas. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in the future for family and friends. Memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, WI. The Stahl Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements, www.stahlfuneralhome.com