Grace Ona Coplen
Grace Ona Coplen, 85, Warsaw, passed away at 9:46 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, at Miller’s Merry Manor of Warsaw.
She was born on March 18, 1935, in Rochester, to Ota Christina (Susdorf) Sutton and Forest William Sutton. Grace graduated from Richland Center High School. On Sept. 6, 1958, she was united in marriage to Melville “Mel” Austin Coplen at the Tiosa Brethren Church. Mel and Grace first resided in Tiosa, Indiana until they moved to Warsaw in 1970. Initially to Robin Drive then spending many years on Little Chapman Lake, before their last move to Valley Springs addition, north of Warsaw. They raised their two daughters and shared 62 years of marriage together before she passed away.
When their marriage began, Grace was a cosmetologist, but soon chose to be a homemaker who spent many years cooking, baking, gardening, and canning. Her children and grandchildren never went home empty-handed after delicious family meals. Grace was also an avid seamstress and enjoyed fishing with Mel during their years on Chapman Lake. She cleaned hundreds of fish for her family to enjoy over the years!
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband: Melville “Mel” Austin Coplen, Warsaw; and two daughters: Rebecca (Mike) Gamble, Warsaw; Sandi (Jeffrey) Haas, Bloomington. She also leaves behind her four grandchildren: Emerald (Dusty) James, Charlotte, N.C.; Caroline (David) Schneider, Pierceton; Adam (Jennifer) Habegger, Warsaw; Jesse Caudill (Brittany Young), Warsaw; five great-grandchildren all of Warsaw: Kaitlyn (Timothy) Richard; Erika (Drue) Kreft; Gretchen Schneider; Landen and Sienna Habegger; two great-great-grandchildren: Ronin and Riker Richard, Warsaw; and her nephew: Matt (Julie) Sutton, Rochester. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, John Sutton of Rochester.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Grace’s life with a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, at Reichter Cemetery in Talma, Indiana which is located at 5507 N. 450 E. near Rochester. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 and would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com