Obituary of Edward M Copeland Jr.

Conneaut- Edward M. Copeland, Jr., 76, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 17, 2024 at UH-Conneaut. He was born on August 31, 1947 in Ashtabula, Ohio the son of Marzella J. (Morgan) and Edward M. Copeland, Sr. Ed graduated from Ashtabula High School Class of 1966 and enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving honorably, during the Vietnam Era, until his discharge in 1972. Edward was employed with Praxair for 30 years, retiring in 2002 due to medical reasons. He was a man of faith and was a member of the Ashtabula Pentecostal Church of God for 30 years, where he played bass and was a member of the church board. More recently he was a member of the Conneaut Church of God for over 10 years. Ed was a great musician and was able to play many different styles of guitars, but he’ll be remembered for being an incredibly skilled bass guitarist. He also loved woodworking, he crafted many guitars and clocks over the years. Ed was also fascinated by new technology and learning new things. In recent years macular degeneration robbed him of 90% of his vision, despite this setback, he remained strong in his faith, kept his wonderful sense of humor and positive outlook on life. Ed is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Mary (nee Martin) Copeland, whom he married on May 25, 1985, in the Ashtabula Pentecostal Church of God; sons, Edward (Shannon) Copeland III, Timothy Copeland, David Ray and TJ Copeland; grandchildren, Donald, Dustin, Eddy, Kirsten, Kelsie, Timothy Jr., Kera, Alivya, Alana, and Hailee; great-grandchildren, Alexia and Derek; and his sisters, Sharon (George) Hakkarainen, Claudia Hakkarainen, and Beth (Jerry) Sparks. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Christina Belz; grandsons, Jaydon Copeland and Derrick Griffith; and three sisters. Calling hours will be held 11AM-12PM on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at the Thompson-Smith-Nesbitt Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Conneaut, where a funeral service will follow at 12:00PM, with Pastor Carson Robson, officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memory Gardens, where American Legion Cowle Post #151 will perform military honors. Funeral services will be livestreamed by following the following link https://youtube.com/live/ZSYeYBVxiNs?feature=share Memorials in his memory may be given to the Ashtabula Pentecostal Church of God or the Conneaut Church of God. Online guestbook and condolences available at www.thompsonsmithnesbitt.com