Grew up and attended school in Hartville Lavern Cope, son of the late Omer Raymond and Opal Olive (Keith) Cope, was born on May 12, 1928, in Wright County, and departed this life on Sept. 15, 2006, at his residence in Mtn. Grove fol-lowing a long illness. He was 78.
Lavern grew up and attended school in Hartville and was united in marriage to Irene McCulley on Nov. 7, 1947. Five children were born to this union. They had made their home in the Mtn. Grove area for over 44 years.
Lavern enjoyed gardening and loved having children around him. He was a very gentle and kind man, loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. His greatest joy in life was to be surrounded by his family.
He was employed by M&G Auto Parts in Mtn Grove and Anderson-Parks, Inc., in Springfield.
Following his retirement, he helped older people with their chores, running errands and taking them to their doctor’s appoint-ments.
He was a longtime member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in Mtn. Grove.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Janet Stigall.
He is survived by his loving wife, Irene Cope, of their home; three sons, Steve Cope and wife, Yvonne, of Houston, Mike Cope and wife, Mina, Cabool, and Keith Cope and wife, Linda, of St. Louis; two daughters, Sharon Aldridge and husband, Joe, of California, Md., and Janice Rader and hus-band, John, of Bolivar; three broth-ers and their families, his twin brother Lavell Cope and wife, Alvalee, Twin Falls, Idaho, Darrel Cope and wife, Wanda, Hartville, and Wayne Cope and wife, Virginia, of Buhl, Idaho; his brother-in-law and family, Bob McCulley and wife, Brenda, of Mtn. Grove; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; nieces; neph-ews; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m., in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel, Mtn. Grove, with the Rev. Ronald Turner officiating. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery.
