Obituary for LAWRENCE JAMES "Jim" COPLEY
Lawrence James ‘Jim’ Copley, 84, of N. Pine St., Gwinn, joined his ‘beloved Honey’ in eternal life on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at UP Health System in Marquette.
Jim was born August 4, 1937 in Turin Township to Lawrence H. and Martha E. (Eakley) Copley and graduated from Gwinn High School, Class of 1955. He spent an amazing, loving 64 years married to his high school sweetheart, Katherine ‘Honey’ (Laveau) Copley, prior to her death in 2019.
Jim retired from the Empire Mine after 33 years of service with Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Gwinn; Knights of Columbus and the Marquette Elks Lodge #405.
Following retirement, he was chief cook and bottle washer as he cared for Honey during her last years of life. He graciously gave of his life to ensure her last years were comfortable and full of love.
Jim truly enjoyed all aspects of life with his family. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed camping, traveling, walking in the woods and snow with Honey, snowshoeing, baking and cooking (which made great use of his Chef’s papers he attained while a member of the Merchant Marines), and was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings. He was a great supporter of his children’s and grandchildren’s after school activities, traveling to many games and meets. He and Honey enjoyed occasional trips to various casinos which provided them with great dining.
Surviving are his children: Mary (Dave) Hermann of Washington, Shirley (Bill) Fountain of Gwinn, Barbara (Bruce) Copley-Gierke of Alaska, Tina (Dan) Locke of Trenary, Nancy (Gary) Nellist of Gwinn, Lawrence (Michelle) Copley of Gwinn, Martha (Richard) Diercks of Gwinn, Rita (Robert) Savola of Gwinn, Theresa (Jeffrey) Andrews of Negaunee and David (Patti) Copley of Manitowoc; 29 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; sisters: Elaine Roos, Marilyn Ryan, Carol (Errol) Steen and Patricia (Arthur) Cheslog; brothers: Bob (Paula), Dick (Tanya) and Earl (Gilia); brother-in-law, Walter (Helen) Laveau; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Brian) Filizetti, Diane Dolinar and Joanne (Gerritt) Van Dijk; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his live, Katherine, in 2019; his youngest daughter Kathy and her husband Mike in 2020; mother- and father-in-law, Rena and Walter Laveau; brother, William Copley; granddaughter, Brooke Fountain, and grandson, Mathew Gierke.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in his honor to Marquette Elks Lodge #405, 127 N. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855.
Jim’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.
Jim was born August 4, 1937 in Turin Township to Lawrence H. and Martha E. (Eakley) Copley and graduated from Gwinn High School, Class of 1955. He spent an amazing, loving 64 years married to his high school sweetheart, Katherine ‘Honey’ (Laveau) Copley, prior to her death in 2019.
Jim retired from the Empire Mine after 33 years of service with Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Gwinn; Knights of Columbus and the Marquette Elks Lodge #405.
Following retirement, he was chief cook and bottle washer as he cared for Honey during her last years of life. He graciously gave of his life to ensure her last years were comfortable and full of love.
Jim truly enjoyed all aspects of life with his family. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed camping, traveling, walking in the woods and snow with Honey, snowshoeing, baking and cooking (which made great use of his Chef’s papers he attained while a member of the Merchant Marines), and was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Red Wings. He was a great supporter of his children’s and grandchildren’s after school activities, traveling to many games and meets. He and Honey enjoyed occasional trips to various casinos which provided them with great dining.
Surviving are his children: Mary (Dave) Hermann of Washington, Shirley (Bill) Fountain of Gwinn, Barbara (Bruce) Copley-Gierke of Alaska, Tina (Dan) Locke of Trenary, Nancy (Gary) Nellist of Gwinn, Lawrence (Michelle) Copley of Gwinn, Martha (Richard) Diercks of Gwinn, Rita (Robert) Savola of Gwinn, Theresa (Jeffrey) Andrews of Negaunee and David (Patti) Copley of Manitowoc; 29 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; sisters: Elaine Roos, Marilyn Ryan, Carol (Errol) Steen and Patricia (Arthur) Cheslog; brothers: Bob (Paula), Dick (Tanya) and Earl (Gilia); brother-in-law, Walter (Helen) Laveau; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Brian) Filizetti, Diane Dolinar and Joanne (Gerritt) Van Dijk; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his live, Katherine, in 2019; his youngest daughter Kathy and her husband Mike in 2020; mother- and father-in-law, Rena and Walter Laveau; brother, William Copley; granddaughter, Brooke Fountain, and grandson, Mathew Gierke.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in his honor to Marquette Elks Lodge #405, 127 N. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855.
Jim’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.