Ethel Louise Coplen
Ethel Louise (Menzie) Coplen, 90, Plymouth, died at 12:59 p.m. Nov. 27, 2017, in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, following a very brief illness.
On May 22, 1927 in Knox, she was born to Elmer A. Menzie and Goldie (Mason) Menzie. She had been part of the Argos community since 1935 when her family moved there.
On June 30, 1946 at the Argos United Methodist Church, Argos, Indiana she married Walter W. Coplen and together they have shared 71 years with each other. Ethel was a Engineering Secretary at R.R. Donnelleys & Sons Company, Warsaw where she retired in 1989 after 27 years.
Ethel was a student at Argos High School all 12 years where she graduated with the class of 1945. While attending high school she was a delegate to Girls State in 1944, a member of the National Honor Society for four years, and a cheerleader for two years.
In 1939, Ethel became a faithful and active member of the Argos United Methodist Church serving in many capacities-UMYF; CumJoinUs class president; Bible School helper; Adult Chancel Choir member over 75 years; United Methodist’s Women Society; Electra Circle secretary; Recording Secretary & Treasurer of the Argos United Methodist Administrative Board; she helped organize the church’s first Turkey Supper in 1967, and assisted with the spring and fall salad bars.
During her lifetime Ethel was also a member of Rainbow Girls; the Argos Junior Civic League; Secretary and organizer of The Hoosier Keepsake Connection of Warsaw (Indiana’s first Hallmark Collectors Club); and the Nifty Fifty Plus Club of Warsaw.
Ethel and Walter square danced with a group at the Izaak Walton League club house. After retirement in 1989 they wintered in Avon Park, Florida at Lake Glenada Mobile Home and RV Park where they were members of the Park Association and Ethel was recording secretary for 13 years.
Ethel was a spectator fan of Indiana and Notre Dame basketball and football; playing card games; jigsaw puzzles; word search, reading; and church activities.
Ethel is survived by her husband; her daughters: Jennifer (Terry) Maze, Sun Lakes, Ariz.; Amy (Dannie) Hurd, Warsaw; grandsons: Michael Maze, Denver, Colo.; William (Nichole) Maze, Payson, Ariz.; Geoffrey Bailey, Warsaw; Christopher (Kate) Hurd, North Webster; step-grandson: Dannie Hurd, North Webster; granddaughter: Angela (Ryan) Sullivan, Carmel Valley, Calif.; six great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; brother, Russell (Karen) Menzie Sr., Logansport; many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and step-father Wayne Pittenger; sisters, Leona Reed Pittenger, and Mary Thrasher; brothers, Kenneth Menzie Sr.; step-brothers, Talbert, Richard, and Joe Pittenger; step grandson, Brandon Hurd
Friends may visit with the family from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 5, at the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, 208 N. Michigan St., Argos. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday Dec. 6, at the Argos United Methodist Church, 570 N. Michigan St., Argos with Rev. Heather Foley of the Argos United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery, Argos.
Memorial Contribution may be made in memory of Ethel Coplen to: Argos United Methodist Church, 570 N. Michigan St., Argos, Indiana