Click here to print the obituary below
Thelma “Tyken” Copeland, 81, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday February 25, 2013. Waiting for her were her husband, Jack Copeland; a loving son, Rick Rea; a precious granddaughter, Sarah Vanderhoof; and a sister, Pat Cavin all preceding her in death. She was born October 24, 1931 to Mick and Pearl Rothermel in Greene County.
Thelma loved to cook, sew and quilt. She, at one time, owned a restaurant in which she worked very hard to provide a service and a product that was second to none. She loved having birthday dinners each month and cooking for her entire family. Baking cinnamon rolls was her specialty, especially the middle one. She also had a passion for teddy bears; making teddy bears out of any type of material that she could come up with. There are many people who hold close to them a teddy bear that she had made. All of her children and grandchildren are the proud owners of a quilt that she specially made for them.
She loved to go to Yellowstone National Park. She had made many trips there in her lifetime. She would get excited when vacation time would come around. She could spend hours driving around the park taking in the beauty of the mountains, valleys, and wildlife that is so abundant there.
There was nothing in her life that meant more to her than family and faith. She was blessed with nine children. She made it her full-time job to watch her grandkids. All of her grandkids were babysat by Grandma. She treasured the sounds of kids in her house. She took learning about family history very seriously and passed that knowledge on to anyone that would lend a listening ear. She found it very important to stay close with her extended family as well. It seems as if everyone she knew was related to her in some way. She was a member of Glenstone Baptist Church.
Thelma is survived by eight children: John David Rea and his wife Paula, Chuck Rea, Gary Rea and his wife Glenda, Michelle Pendergrass, Marlyne Vanderhoof and her husband Steve, Merrian Copeland, Mike Copeland and his wife Sheila, and Marc Copeland; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ted Rothermel and John Rothermel; and one sister, Nancy Sloan; two aunts, many nieces, nephews, and cousins and a host of friends.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 1 in Greenlawn Funeral Home North with services at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 2 in Glenstone Baptist Church with Bruce McNeely officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to A Sporting Chance PO Box 11337 Springfield, MO 65808.