Richard Copeland

Richard Novice Copeland Richard Novice Copeland, 91, of Hillman, passed away on October 3, 2009 at his residence. He was born onMarch 21, 1918, in Calloway County, Kentucky. He was born the sixth child of ten children to Mary and George Washington Copeland. He is survived by his Sister Hontas Jones, of Benton Kentucky, his son Greg and Carol Copeland of Lyndhurst Ohio, his daughter Kay and Dr James Kelley of Redlands, CA; four grandchildren; and four great grand children. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwen, and granddaughter, Allison Levine. He received a full ride Basketball Scholarship to Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. His basketball scholarship was cut short by the start of World War II. Serving under the leadership of General Patton, he was awarded the Purple Heart in 1944. With his wife Gwen, he raised his family in Detroit Michigan, and worked for the Detroit Street and Rail for 30 years. In Detroit he served as a Deacon of the Coronado Baptist Church, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and pursued many other charitable causes. He and Gwen retired to Hillman, Michigan in 1970. In Hillman, he was the girls' basketball coach for Hillman High School and loved his involvement with the Hillman Community. He was an active member of the First Methodist Church of Hillman, Michigan, serving on many committees and helping with church functions. His hobbies included hunting, raising hunting dogs, and gardening. Richard was loved by his family and peers, and will be missed by all. Funeral services for Mr Copeland will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Hillman United Methodist Church, Pastor Don Derby officiating. Visitation hours will be held on Wednesday, from 6-9 POM at the Green Funeral Home, Hillman, MI. The family has suggested memorials to Hospice of Michigan 112 W Chisholm St, Alpena, MI 49707.
He received a full ride Basketball Scholarship to Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. His basketball scholarship was cut short by the start of World War II. Serving under the leadership of General Patton, he was awarded the Purple Heart in 1944. With his wife Gwen, he raised his family in Detroit Michigan, and worked for the Detroit Street and Rail for 30 years. In Detroit he served as a Deacon of the Coronado Baptist Church, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and pursued many other charitable causes. He and Gwen retired to Hillman, Michigan in 1970. In Hillman, he was the girls' basketball coach for Hillman High School and loved his involvement with the Hillman Community. He was an active member of the First Methodist Church of Hillman, Michigan, serving on many committees and helping with church functions. His hobbies included hunting, raising hunting dogs, and gardening. Richard was loved by his family and peers, and will be missed by all.
Funeral services for Mr Copeland will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Hillman United Methodist Church, Pastor Don Derby officiating. Visitation hours will be held on Wednesday, from 6-9 POM at the Green Funeral Home, Hillman, MI. The family has suggested memorials to Hospice of Michigan 112 W Chisholm St, Alpena, MI 49707.