Henry Copeland

Henry "Jake" Copeland, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, peacefully in his sleep at his home.

He was born April 17, 1924, in McClure, Ill., one of ten children to the late Charles and Mary Simpkins Copeland. He was preceded in death by all nine siblings.

Mr. Copeland served in the U.S. Army in World War II and is a veteran of the Korean War.

He and Oma C. Eudy were united in marriage Nov. 9, 1945, in McClure. Together they had five children. She passed away March 28, 1998.

Jake worked as a chef for St. Vincent's College in Cape Girardeau for 35 years. He always enjoyed his relationship with the priests and the many students who attended the college over the years. After retirement, he enjoyed fishing with his sons, gardening, participating in shooting matches at the Elks Lodge, playing cards with his friends and cracking pecans for Christmas presents for his daughter and other family and friends.

He was a longtime member of VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau.

Jake has crossed the "Rainbow Bridge" and joined his beloved wife, Oma, in heaven.

Survivors include daughter, Donna Smith of Jefferson City, Mo.; sons, Donald Joe (Pat) Copeland of Cape Girardeau, David (Diana) Copeland of Chaffee, Mo., and Danny (Juanita) Copeland of Jackson; grandchildren, Chris Thompson of Columbia, Mo., Trisha Copeland of Cape Girardeau, Michelle (Bobby) Lands of Chaffee, Jeremy (Christie) Copeland of Chaffee, Davy Copeland of Chaffee, Bryan (Tara) Copeland of Omaha, Neb., Jason (Carmen) Copeland of Cape Girardeau, Christina Copeland of Chaffee and Amanda Copeland of Chaffee; and great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Thompson, Alena Copeland, Logan Lands, James Lands, Tyler Copeland, Bobby Ray Lands, Austin Copeland, Dawson Copeland, Wyatt Copeland and Skylar Copeland.

He was preceded in death by his son, Dale Henry Copeland; wife; parents; seven brothers; two sisters; and two great-grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life from 10 a.m. to noon Monday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral service will be at noon Monday at the funeral chapel, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating.

Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery in McClure, with full military honors by VFW Post 3838, VFW Post 3455 and the Illinois National Guard.

Memorial contributions may be given to American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.