Russell W.
“Rusty” Copeland Jr., 71, of Story Street, Essex and husband of
Doris “Duffy” Codding Copeland died Friday evening May 22, 2009
at home with his family at his side, after a long illness.
Born in
Peabody, February 6, 1938, he was the son of the late Russell W.
and Alice (Fellows) Copeland. He graduated from Beverly High
with the class of 1956 and from Gordon College in 1960. He was a
long time resident of Hamilton and Wenham before moving to
Essex. He worked as a Sales Representative for many years and
was a former Vice President at Johnny Appleseed of North
Beverly. He was a member of the Beverly Rotary and the
Hamilton-Wenham Rotary. He was very involved in many community
activities in Beverly, Hamilton, Wenham and Essex. He was also a
very active member of The First Presbyterian Church of Ipswich.
In addition
to his loving wife of Forty-Six Years, he is survived by two
sons and daughters-in-law, Steven R. Copeland and his wife
Maureen of Rockland and Jonathan E. Copeland and his wife Susan
of Beverly Farms, seven grandchildren, Steven, Alicia, Patrick
and Mara Copeland of Rockland and Elizabeth Curran, Meaghan and
Ryan Copeland of Beverly Farms. He is also survived by two
sisters, Susan Copeland of Wenham and JoAnne Copeland of
Whitefield Maine, and several nieces and nephews. He was
predeceased by a sister, Priscilla Call.
His funeral
service will be held Thursday at 1:00 PM at the First
Presbyterian Church, 179 County Road, Ipswich. Family and
friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting hours are Wednesday
from 5 to 8 PM at the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High
Street, Ipswich. Contributions in his name may be made to the
First Presbyterian Church Missions-Deacons Fund, 179 County
Road, Ipswich, MA 01938.