February 23, 1937 – July 1, 2021
Jack Irvin “Fluffy” Copeland, 84, Sheridan, and formerly of Memphis, Tenn.; passed away on Thursday, July 1, surrounded by his family. He was born on February 23, 1937, to the late Marion Delaski “Dee” and Carrie Myrtle (Caldwell) Copeland in Lebanon, Ind.
Jack was raised in Lebanon and was a graduate of Lebanon High School, Class of 1955. After graduation, he wanted to serve his country and decided to join the United States Navy. He worked as a Navy Corpsman and was stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Va. After Jack honorably served his country and returned home, he went to work for Pitman Moore in Zionsville as a welder for 10 years. When Jack’s employment ended with Pitman Moore, he worked for Shell Oil Company driving tankers.
Jack loved Tennessee and in 1976 ventured to start his next chapter with his beloved wife Lillian in Memphis. Jack had to switch employers and he enjoyed driving trucks, so he took a job with Yellow Freight and drove for them until retiring in 1999.
When Jack was not working and after his retirement, he would be found working puzzles or watching his favorite show, Wheel of Fortune, at 7:00 p.m.; everyone knew not to call or bother him when he was watching his show. Jack also loved woodworking and would spend hours in his woodshop working on projects. Jack became a Master Mason and was a member of Oakville Masonic Lodge #599 in Memphis, Tenn. Jack had a personal experience with the Shriners Hospital and he knew he wanted to continue to serve, so he became a proud member of the Shriners and donated a lot of his time raising money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Jack’s greatest joy was his family: His wife, Lillian (Moore) Copeland of 44 years, who preceded him in death; and his children, Jay Copeland, Tammy Lee, Debbie (Frank) Whicker, and Tonya (Tom) Stern, all of Sheridan. He was a loving grandfather to his 10 grandchildren, Rob (Tiffany) Favors, Nicole Menard, Missy (Joe) Faucett, Christina Favors, Laura Lea Owens, Carrie Dee Copeland, James Bryan Copeland, Brandon Wright, Aaron Wright, and Kayla Harris. He was a proud great-grandfather to 20 grandchildren. Jack was a devoted brother to Charles Copeland, Mary Lou (John) Redman, and Linda Woodard. He was also a loving husband to his first wife, Patricia (Hoots) Weir.
Jack’s grandson, Aaron Wright, and granddaughter, Kyla Harris, along with great-grandsons, Dawson Owens and Logan Faucett, cared for their Papaw until he passed. Preceding Jack in death is his son, Bryan Copeland, on October 27, 2006, and his brother, John Copeland, in 2020.
Funeral services for Jack will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 8 at North Fields Church, 1478 State Road 38, Sheridan, where family and friends are invited to gather from 5 p.m. till time of services. For those who will not be able to attend his service, there will be a Facebook live stream at the Fisher Family Funeral Services Facebook page. Jack’s nephew, Pastor Brian Rutherford, will be officiating his service. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 10 at Memphis Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Memphis, Tenn.
Jack’s family would like to thank Paradigm Hospice for taking such good care of Jack, and also the VA nurses.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sheridan American Legion Post 67, 406 E. 10th St., Sheridan, IN 46069.
Everyone is invited to sign the online guestbook, leave a condolence, or share a memory at fisherfunerals.com. Fisher Family Funeral Services is honored to serve the Copeland Family.