Merlin "Pete" Copple 1926-2001

COPPLE, THOMAS, LAMOUREUX

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/16/2013 at 18:38:18

SLOAN, Iowa — Merlin "Pete" Copple, 75, of Sloan died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2001, at a hospital in Edinburgh, Texas.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix, Iowa, with the Rev. Donald J. Slaven officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Smith-Rhodes Post 295 of Sloan. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today, with a Scripture service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa.

Merlin was born March 11, 1926, in Whiting, Iowa, the son of Francis and Edna (Thomas) Copple. He was raised in the Sloan area, where he graduated from Sloan High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 1944, serving during World War II. He achieved the rank of aviation ordinanceman 3C. He was discharged in June 1946.

He married Shirley Lamoureux on Sept. 14, 1949, in Salix. The couple farmed for 53 years. They spent the past 26 years wintering in Texas.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, a 50-year member, of Knights of American, American Legion Smith Rhodes post 295 of Sloan and a charter member of Sloan Country Club. He taught shuffle board for six years and was an excellent shuffler and received many trophies.

He loved traveling, dancing and hunting.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters and their husbands, Deborah and Fred Craig of Madison, Wis., Christine and Paul Brown of Friendship, Wis., and Peggy and Gaylen Baker of Salix.; six grandchildren, Dave and Beth Craig, Becky and Scott Hanson, Matt and Lisa Brown, Stephanie Brown and Lee and Mindy Baker; and three great-grandchildren, Logan Brown, Ian Hanson and Craig Hanson.