COPAS, Clifton C.

COPAS, BENSON, JOHNSON, BEST, ALLEN, GARFIN, VERHELST

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 6/17/2013 at 11:04:01

Clifton C. Copas, 71, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Monday, Aug. 11, 1997 at his
home.

Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 15, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church,
Clear Lake, with Msgr. Joseph J. Slepicka officiating. Interment was in the
Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake,
was in charge of arrangements.

Clifton was born Sept. 12, 1925 in Mitchell, S.D., the son of Joseph and Gladys
(Benson) Copas. He moved with his folks at an early age to Britt, Iowa. He
graduated from Britt High School. After graduating from high school, he served
in the U.S. Navy on the USS St. Louis as a seaman's first class during World War
II. He was awarded the American Area Ribbon, Victory medal, Asiatic Pacific
Ribbon, seven stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, one star.

Clifton was married to Virginia Johnson on Feb. 9, 1945 in Fairmont, Minn. They
lived in Britt, where he drove semi for Newbrough Trucking out of Wesley, Iowa.
They moved to Clear Lake in 1962. Clifton drove semi for Stockberger Transfer
and Storage, in Mason City, Iowa, until his retirement.

Clifton enjoyed family gatherings and picnics. He was a member of St. Patrick's
Catholic Church and the 828 Teamsters union.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Copas, Clear Lake; 10 children, Louetta
Best, Clear Lake, Edward Copas and his wife, Kolene, Las Vegas, Nev., Diana
Allen, Mason City, Iowa, Douglas Copas and his wife, Jo, Salina, Kan., Altha
Garfin and her husband, Andy, Litchfield, Minn., Gregory Copas and his wife,
Debbie, Glencoe, Minn., Vincent Copas, Clear Lake, Phillip Copas of Opportunity
Village, Clear Lake, Monica VerHelst and her husband, Don, Mason City, Timothy
Copas and his wife, Suzanne, Ventura, Iowa; 26 grandchildren; six
great-grandchildren; his mother, Gladys Copas, Britt; one brother, Bill Copas
and his wife, LaVonne, Salina, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1961; and one son, Thomas Copas in
1985.

Sr. Mary Arnold was organist and special music was by St. Patrick's Choir.
Pallbearers were Duane Polsdofer, Steve Meyers, Dave Wilhelm, Denny Best, Bill
Bielefeld, Curtis Nelson.