Born in Wright County Funeral services for Lavern Cope were held Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel, Mtn. Grove, with the Rev. Ronald Turner officiating. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.
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 Mountain Grove, following 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 Mountain 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 Mountain 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 appointments.
He was a longtime member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in Mountain 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 his wife, Yvonne, of Houston, Mike Cope and his wife, Mina, of Cabool, and Keith Cope and his wife, Linda, of St. Louis; two daughters, Sharon Aldridge and her husband, Joe, of California, Md., and Janice Rader and her husband, John, of Bolivar; three brothers and their families, his twin brother, Lavell Cope and his wife, Alvalee, of Twin Falls, Idaho, Darrel Cope and his wife, Wanda, of Hartville, and Wayne Cope and his wife, Virginia, of Buhl, Idaho; his brother-in-law and family, Bob McCulley and his wife, Brenda, of Mountain Grove; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends that will fondly remember him.
