Carl “Dean” Coplen, 89, formerly of Warsaw, died peacefully Dec. 30, 2013, in Banner Gardens Hospice House, Mesa, Az. Helen Coplen, 88, formerly of Warsaw, died peacefully at Banner Baywood Medical Center, Mesa, after a recent illness. He was born May 11, 1924, in Akron, to Lee and Cora Zimmerman Coplen. She was born July 18, 1925, in Akron, to Wilbur Henry and Alberta Shafer Landis. They were married Oct. 16, 1943. They have resided in Mesa since 1999. He was a 1942 graduate of Gilead High School where he was the first of many Coplens to play basketball. He joined the Army shortly after their marriage. After his discharge from the Army, he had a lifetime career with the Pennsylvania Railroad and Conrail and also worked part time for Abshire Oil and Lewis Shell Oil. No matter what his hours were he always had time for family. He was known these past few years for wearing a very distinctive red corduroy hat that usually didn’t match the rest of his outfit. When he was unable to attend the June 2013 wedding of his grandson, Ryan, a collage was made with all of the family having their picture taken with the red hat on – even the bride and groom She was a 1943 graduate of Akron High School. She was a wonderful mother and housewife. She had the honor of having her four children at home for 29 years. She was a special mother and friend to all of them. She was known for having the perfect house for the Landis family get-togethers. Her house was always open to friends and family. Her children and grandchildren loved her chocolate chip cookies. Playing the piano was her passion. Pictures have been taken of her with each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren at the piano. They are survived by a daughter, Sandy (and spouse Jack) Moore, Mesa; two sons: Randy (and spouse Diane) Coplen, Wichita, Kan.; and John (and Kathy) Coplen, Fort Wayne; nine grandchildren: Mark and Travis Wiseman, Mesa; Ryan and Michele Coplen, Searcy, Ark.; Andrea and Daniel Coplen, Fort Wayne; Marla Palmer, Mesa; Michelle Moore, Marion; Will Hilton, Hastings, Minn; and 11 great-grandchildren. They were preceded in death by their oldest son, Terry, who passed away from an illness in 1964. In addition, he is survived by three brothers: Bob and Muriel Coplen, Fort Wayne; Ralph and Barbara Coplen, Warsaw; and Dale and Beverly Coplen, North Manchester; and a sister, Ruth Chandler, Indianapolis. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charles and Wayne Coplen, and a sister, June Brown. Additionally, she is survived by a brother, Don Landis, Hollywood, Fla. She was preceded in death by her husband; her father, Wilbur Henry Landis; mother and stepfather, Alberta and Harrison Perry; five brothers, Howard, Will, Bob, Bud and Dick Landis; and three sisters, Esther Smith, Vera Grant and Norma Wheeler. Services will be at noon Monday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, with Pastor David Hummel, Trinity United Methodist Church, of which both were members, officiating. Calling is from 10 a.m. to noon at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Baker Youth Club, 765 W. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or to La Bella Vita, c/o Aldrich Telan, 7515 Farmdale Road, Mesa, AZ 85208.
