Kenneth L. Copeland Sr.
Kenneth L. Copeland Sr. of Media, formerly of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, died on Tuesday, February 16. He was 99.
Born and raised in Harrisburg, Ken was a 1940 graduate of John Harris High School. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 25 years, retiring in 1966 with the rank of major.
During his military service, Ken continued his education at the University of Maryland. During World War II, he spent four months training with British commandos in preparation for D-Day. He then crossed the English Channel, moving through France, Belgium, and Holland. He had reached Regensburg, Germany, when the war ended. For his participation in these campaigns, he was awarded two Battle Stars, as well as the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action.
Ken served for four years on occupation duty in France and Germany. His European service included assignments in every Western European country and in Russian-occupied East Berlin. He also served in the Korean War.
Ken’s peacetime service included several tours to Japan, and assignments to Midway, Wake, Okinawa, Hawaii, and Hong Kong. His service also took him to Libya, Egypt, Asmara, Israel, Bahrain, Pakistan, New Delhi, India, and Thailand. He served as a military advisor both to the Saudi Arabian army and (with General Claire Lee Chennault) to the Chinese Nationalist army in Taiwan.
Ken received numerous medals and awards: the Atlantic Campaign Ribbon, the European Theater Ribbon (3 stars), the German Occupational Medal, the Battle of the Bulge Medal (1 star), the World War II Victory Medal, the World War II Occupational Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korean Service Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
After retiring from military service, Ken worked for the Kennedy Space Center, then for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and then for the U.S. Economic Development Administration, retiring in 1984. He bought a house in Middletown Township, where he lived for 22 years.
Ken was a member of the Lima United Methodist Church and the Pine Street Methodist Church. He was also, for 50 years, a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory (Lodge #707 F&AM).
During the years he lived at Riddle Village, Ken was an active member of the community there. He was a member of the Oaks Club and the men’s choir, as well as a resident council floor representative. He enjoyed working in the woodshop and participating in the dining community. And he was especially proud of the Veteran’s Day program he created and directed.
Ken enjoyed working with model trains, and sharing them with his neighbors and friends, taking special care with their display during the holidays. He was also a devoted fan of Penn State football and a season ticket holder.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth Ann Copeland, who died in 1985.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Shaffer Copeland; his daughter Constance Marie Jones (Don) and son Kenneth L. Copeland Jr.; two stepsons and a stepdaughter; grandchildren Rob (Mary) Jones, Kristi (Dan) Hanifin, Rick Jones, Katie Copeland, Jessie Copeland, and Jason Copeland; and great-grandchildren Maeve, Aileen, Blaise, Mackenzi, and Michael.
A graveside service will be held privately in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Riddle Village Endowment Fund, 1048 W. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063. Condolences may be offered here.
